s. Rhymes «. 



OF A 



Lifetime 



MARY FRAHCESE CUMMINS 




Class „/^ 5^ 36:jStS 
Book __i^-3 "^-.JlS 
GopyiifihtN" /70^ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



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MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 



RHYMES 
OF A LIFETIME 



MARY FRANCESE CUMMINS 




CHICAGO 

PRIVATELY PRINTED 

1907 



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7 



Copyright, 1907 

BY 

B. A. CUMMINS 
Pierre, S. D. 





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To My Mother. 

"A boy's best friend is his mother." So goes 
the old song. I should like by the pubUcation 
of your verses, which have for me all the charms 
of friendship, companionship and love, to open 
my heart far enough to reveal the inscription: 
*'A mother's best friend is her boy." 

Burton Albert Cummins. 

Pierre, South Dakota, April 13, 1907. 



J 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



They Toil Not, Neither Do They Spin." 

Matthew vi. 28. 

Upon a mount in Palestine 
The blessed Master stood one day, 

And taught the people gathered there 
The way of life, the narrow way. 

He told them of the Father's love. 
His tender, tireless, watchful care ; 

And, pointing downward o'er the plain. 
He said with kind, persuasive air : 

"Behold the liHes of the field; 

They toil not, neither do they spin ; 
Yet God arrays them, every one. 

In garbs that kings would love to win. 

And if He watches over them. 
And feedeth all the fowls in air. 

Then surely He will think of you 
And give to you His loving care. 

He knoweth everything you need, 

And if you seek to do His will. 
Then all these things shall be His gift 

And He with good your lives shall fill." 

But did He mean that there would come 
To human flowers who do not toil 

The richest, choicest gifts divine. 
And beauty thus should justice foil ? 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

To human souls He grants the will 
And power to choose the wrong or right, 

And every conquest made by men 
Will strengthen for the coming fight. 

And those who idly wait and scorn 

To add to talents He has given, 
Will gain no strength, by threads well spun, 

To climb the rounds which lead to Heaven. 

Oh! let us spin our threads so well 
That when at last the web is done, 

And we the Master's voice shall hear, 
His words for us may be, *^ Well done!" 

November, 188:5. 



10 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



A Baby's Grave. 

Oh! the pitiless, pitiless sun, 

With its yellow, murky glare, 
And the sickening heat, day after day, 

Which seemed more than one could bear. 

Oh! the scorching winds, never at rest, 

And the dreary wastes of sand. 
And the columns of rock on every side 

Which no verdure could command 

Save sagebrush and cacti, growing low. 

So tiresome one almost cried. 
For they brought the mind no restful change 

As they grew on every side. 

We must wait for hours, the trainmen said, 

In this horrid, lonesome place ; 
What could we do to pass away time 

With the most becoming grace ? 

The railroad hotel was a stifling place. 

So we ventured out at last ; 
But the sand was hot beneath our feet 

And sand-showers were sweeping past. 

And eyes were blinded and life grew parched 

In that mockery of a shower. 
When every nerve in the body twinged. 

And days were lived in an hour. 



^ 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

We wandered about the little town, 

Of houses a score or more ; 
Saloons as many, — we wondered if God 

Could blame men for sinking lower. 

At last, up under a hill of sand. 

We espied a bur}^ing-ground ; 
We turned that way with faltering steps, 

No pleasure could there be found. 

The most barren, lonesome place I know 

Is a Western burying-ground ; 
With nothing green, and nothing to mark 

The fact that Death is around. 

We reached the gate and unloosed the chain 

And stepped inside the square, 
Where people had come and left their dead 

When life was enough to bear. 

There were graves and graves on every side, 

Marked by painted wooden boards. 
And poverty, so pinched and poor, 

Did such evidence afford. 

At last, in a comer, we saw some green. 

Which drew us with eager feet. 
And what we saw when we reached the spot 

I will gladly now repeat. 

For like cooling showers, and rest, and peace, 

To our weary hearts the sight. 
For it touched our souls with love's owti seal 

And darkness was turned to light. 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

A baby of six months old had died, 

Her parents had left her there, 
And all that money could buy was told 

In the wealth of offering there. 

The soil had been brought from far away 

And was raised a foot or more, 
A netting of wire enclosed it roimd 

And the top was sodded o'er. 

And hardy evergreen shrubs grew there. 

Transplanted from far away ; 
And what had been given in flower designs 

Did the faded offerings say. 

A vase at the foot held fresh, bright flowers. 

And a cask of water there 
Showed that every day love kept in mind 

The baby so sweet and fair. 

And at one end a statue like life. 

Of Italian marble, rose. 
It pictured a sleeping baby there, 

So life-like in its repose. 

One does not look for gems of art 

In a place so bleak and bare ; 
But face, and hands, and draperies all 

Were chiseled by master rare. 

We shed some tears for the loving hearts 

Who had suffered more than we, 
And the love that makes the whole world kin 

Went to them in sympathy. 



13 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And we left the place and went our way, 

Forgetting the heat and sand ; 
We had caught a glimpse of the Father's love 

In that barren, Western land. 

August, 1889. 



14 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



The Lord's Prayer. 

"Our Father who m Heaven art'' — 

O, where is Heaven, and where art Thou? 
If far above, which shining orb 

Contains Thy throne, where angels bow ? 

But if below, if here on earth. 

Which special place? Oh! do not chide; 
Our dearest friends have passed that way; 

O, tell us. Lord, where they abide. 

''All hallowed be Thy Loving Name" ; 
From slighting word, or scoffing jest, 
O, keep us, Father, every one — 
Be in our hearts an honored guest. 

" Thy kingdom come" ; let love and peace, 
The glorious gift of Thy dear son. 
Spread over all the earth until 

The world 's redeemed, the victory won. 

" Thy will be done" ; we darkly grope. 

We cannot choose through blinding tears. 
Thy rule is love, help us to feel 
Thy dealings right ; allay our fears. 

"Give us this day our daily bread" ; 
Not simply earthly food we need. 
But Heavenly sustenance and strength, 
With which our fainting souls to feed. 



15 



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Whe 



*I]i]x> tempcidan had us mit^; 

TVe lU^ iFe aie too ivcak to i^ 



We k: 






RHYMES OF A LIFETIiME 



Annie's Christmas Gift. 

No legend now of long ago, 

No master-poet's song I sing, 
But in this time of peace and love 

A real, true Christmas tale I bring. 

Once, in a small New England to^\^l, 

Far from the city's noisy hum, 
There was a home, so sweet and pure 

It seemed that trouble could not come. 

Two children lived in that dear home. 
To bless and cheer each parent's heart ; 

Annie, the daughter, nine years old — 
Of the sunshine she was a part. 

Not quite a year before had come 

A dear litde baby brother ; 
A gentle nurse did Annie prove. 

And they dearly loved each other. 

But now a shadow deep had come. 
And more dangerous grew each day, 

For little Ben, their joy and pride. 
Seemed fading so swiftly away. 

The doctor's word that very night, 
When he had made his usual round, 

Had made their hearts beat wild with fright ; 
Their Christmas eve no pleasure fomid. 



17 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

" To-night if from this stupor deep 
The child awakes, to know you all, 
Then he will live ; if not, this night 
Will be his last; God bless you all." 

Poor Annie! Could she live, and lose 
Her darling pet, her precious Ben ? 

A tender, loving kiss she gave, 

And straight up to her chamber then. 

And, on her knees before her bed 

She knelt, and thus she prayed in grief ; 

To Him who guards each earth-bom child 
Her heart went out in sweet relief: 

" Dear Father of the good Christ-child, 
Who came to save from sin and strife, 
I ask one gift this Christmas eve, 
One precious gift — my brother's life. 

I ask no toys, or dolls, or games — 

My brother Ben is all to me. 
O, bring him back to health again, 

And I thy loving child will be.'' 

This she repeated o'er and o'er, 

And still upon her knees she bent ; 
When — was it sleep and dreams that came ? 

Or was it a vision. Heaven sent? 

The room seemed filled with glorious light, 
And music, rapturous, filled the air. 

And lovely odors seemed to come 
With every breath, from flowers rare. 

i8 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

The music near and nearer came, 

Until from many voices rolled 
The old, sweet song the shepherds heard 

On Bethlehem^s hills in days of old. 

And when it ceased then Annie knew 
The Christ was standing by her side, 

And that his hand was on her head ; 
And then upon the evening tide 

She heard these precious words from Him : 
^^ My child, your prayer was heard above, 

And I have come with healing power 
Because of your unselfish love." 

And then the room grew dark and still, 

And she was left once more alone. 
Then up she rose and down the stairs 

She swiftly sped, her troubles flown. 

In tireless watch the parents sat, 
And with surprise they watched her go. 
*^He surely will get well," she said ; 
^^The Christ has come to tell me so." 

Then to the cradle swift she ran 

And said, ^^My precious, darling Ben!" 

He seemed to hear, unclosed his eyes — 
The dear old smile, they saw it then. 

He feebly tried to raise his hand 
Once more her golden curls to try ; 

And bending down, she filled it full 
And simg a gentle liillaby. 



19 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And soon his quiet breathing told 

He slept again, all safe and right; 
The tired and anxious hearts gave thanks 

For Annie's gift, that Christmas night. 

The years have come, the years have gone. 
The life thus saved has blessed them all ; 

And never yet did Annie doubt 

The Healing Christ came at her call. 

December 27, 1886. 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



A Trip to Mars. 

Written for Chautauqua Circle. 

'T is said that when great needs are felt, 

Men always have the aim, 
By science and inventive skill. 

To satisfy the same. 

I' m but a woman, true, but then 

Inventions have been made 
Where woman's skill and woman's wit 

Have been of greatest aid. 

Now, scientific I am not. 

But still I' ve got a scheme 
Which possibly may carry out 

A most delightful dream. 

For you must know that wise old heads 

Are gazing at the stars. 
Just now, to try and find a way 

To reach the planet. Mars. 

A prize is offered for the same. 
And France, she says she '11 help ; 

So if the thing at last succeeds 
There 's fame, as well as pelf. 

I'll correspond with Edison, 

For he has offered, too, 
To give all help within his power — 

He '11 know if it will do. 



21 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

For it is electricity 

That 's got to do the work ; 
That strange, mysterious, unknown power, 

Which labor does not shirk. 

And now my scheme I will unfold, 

Just lend a listening ear ; 
Perhaps some one can give a hint 

To make the thing more clear. 

The apparatus all must be 

On some high mountain top, 
Where naught on earth can interfere 

To make machinery stop. 

I think Mount Washington will do, 

The track is ready laid 
To carry the materials up, 

When all the plans are made. 

The building — I can see it now. 

Within my mind's clear eye ; 
It 's built of stone, and very broad. 

But not extremely high. 

But, in the mountain, burrowed deep 

Under the firm, gray pile. 
Are subterranean rooms, that make 

One wonder, all the while. 

But what is that, that looks so strange, 

That rounded turret dome. 
That casts a mellow, silvery light 

Upon the dull, gray stone ? 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

That rounded turret standing there 

Will, when the time arrives, 
Be gently loosed from moorings strong 

To sail into the skies. 

For that is the balloon or car 

On which the scheme depends ; 
It must be strong, and light, and tough. 

To win such mighty ends. 

I Ve thought of all the usual things 

With which balloons they make ; 
But silk or rubber will not do 

This voyage long to take. 

I think a metal it should be. 

Which could not well collapse ; 
I Ve thought the matter over well. 

It seems to me, perhaps, 

Aluminum would be the thing. 

If once the art is known 
To draw it out in thin, flat sheets 

To fit this rounded dome. 

The lightest metal known to man, 

And plentiful, also ; 
Discovered by the world so late 

Its powers we do not know. 

This, on a framework of the same. 

Would be both strong and light ; 
Would not collapse, and be the thing 

For this aerial flight. 



23 



R"H Y M E S OF A LIFETIME 

That surely is the m^al which 

Mv mind's eye jdainly sees, 
WTiich has a kind of sQvoy look 

And must those Martians please. 

Wen, gas is not the greatest power 

WTiich comes into my plan. 
But there must be a store of that. 

The best that's known to man. 

And powo" to manufacture more, 

If they should need the same ; 
They must not lack a hoisting force 

In that unknown domain. 

The car must be so very light. 

The gas so strcMig, beside. 
That she would need no other force 

To make her upward glide. 

The electric power is just to make 

The journey swift as thought. 
Hse CHie man's life would nc: su:5:e 

To win the end that 's scu^„: 

And as ii s to electricity 

On which we must rdy, 
That building, and the rooms boieath. 

Must furnish the supply. 

They tdl us, «ice in sixteoi years 

We get quite near to M^rs — 
Thirty-four million miles, they say — 

The nearest of the stars. 



24 



RHYMES OF A LIFETI:ME 

That seems a mighty ways to go, 

And long to make a wire, 
But there must be a cable strong 

For this electric flyer. 

And made and stored all underground 

To pay out, fast or slow. 
In one continuous chain, 

And ever smoothly flow. 

In shape it must be different 

From any known balloon ; 
No separate car to hang beneath. 

No Uttle, swinging room. 

But this must be one solid thing ; 

The gas up in the dome 
Secure and safe ; and under that 

The h\TQg-working room. 

And in the apex, for I guess 

It must be rather small, 
Down at the lower, earthward end, 

There will be room for all 

The batteries, and stores of things 

The occupants must need. 
To help them safely on their way 

And give them daily feed. 

For water, how will they provide ? 

That query puzzles me. 
But coming years perhaps will solve 

The question easily. 



25 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

The thought at once occurred to me 

There might be lack of air, 
For I have learned, as one goes up, 

It gets exceeding rare. 

But the component parts are known 
Which make the air we breathe, 

And we will learn to make the same. 
That danger to relieve. 

And store it in some compact way. 

To add when there is need ; 
There '11 be a way to solve each doubt 

For this electric steed. 

But I shall leave to architects 

To carry out my plan ; 
They 'd scorn to work by woman's rule. 

Just like the average man. 

Just one thing I '11 insist upon : 

On that electric wire, 
Must be a way to signal down 

Whatever they desire. 

Just think how glad the world would be 

To hear from them each day. 
And find if they enjoy the trip 

And wonders of the way. 

And we could telegraph to them 
About the friends they 've left; 

With that connecting friendly wire 
They could not be bereft. 

26 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

They '11 have to work, these occupants 
(I think there should be three), 

To keep the books, and records make 
Of everything they see. 

The steering power will rest w^th them 

To go which way they please ; 
Of course, they '11 aim her straight for Mars, 

And with the greatest ease. 

One thing has just occurred to me — 

That swiftly moving car 
May get, by friction, quite too hot 

For those from home so far. 

If so, then something must be found. 

Some safe, conducting power. 
With which to gauge the heat, at will 

Of those imder the tower. 

Swedenborg, and Carrlli, too, 

Have claimed to go to Mars 
In spirit, and have said they foimd 

It best of all the stars. 

The people are superior 

To those upon our earth ; 
They worship the same God as we, 

But bare of greater worth. 

If so, they will be glad to see 

These messengers from earth ; 
And will be glad to give them aid 

And show their extra worth. 



27 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Of course, that telegraphic wire 
They '11 guard with greatest care, 

And keep us well informed each day 
While they may sojourn there. 

That same electric cable wire. 

Securely anchored fast, 
Will be a track already laid 

To bring them home at last. 

And when they start the homeward way 

The Martians may devise 
Some extra comforts for the way. 

And add all fresh supplies. 

How glad the world will be to know 

That they have got to Mars, 
And we will signal back to them 

The world's combined hurrahs! 

It seems from here as though they 'd land 

Upon their heads in Mars, 
But gravitation laws hold good, 

I think, in all the stars. 

The figures, they appall me some 

But then, I do suppose. 
They'll go as fast, when they get oflF, 

As now a message goes. 

And it won't take so very long — 

Three years or more, perhaps, 
According to the rate of speed, 

The time that must elapse. 

28 



RHYMES OF A LIFETI^ME 

At thirty thousand miles a day, 

It is a little more 
Than the three years I estimate — 

It may be done before. 

Next year we reach Mars' nearest point, 

Too soon for us to show- 
That we our neighbors do desire 

To visit and to know. 

But then in Nineteen Hundred Nine, 

I think, without a doubt, 
That wire and building vn.]l be done, 

And caverns blasted out. 

I think the start should be before. 

About three years, I guess ; 
Then Mars would be approaching us 

In seeming friendliness. 

And we should reach her at the point 

She would the nearest be ; 
So then, in Nineteen Hundred Six 

I hope the start will be. 

There 's lots of sundries in the bill, 

To add as things progress. 
But this I think will quite suffice 

To start, but I confess 

I have some doubts, for, as I said. 

So little do I know 
Of science, that perhaps the whole 

Does little reason show. 



29 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

But I shall send the scheme along, 

And if it makes men think, 
And study out a better way, 

Or add a missing link. 

Then in the end we '11 go to Mars, 

Or our descendants may ; 
And better than all other routes 

Will be The Electric Way. 

March 2, 1892. 



30 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



" O, Susanna, Don't You Cry!'' 

Sometime there flits across my sky 
A phantom from the days gone by ; 
One vagrant line of ancient song, 
Securely bound with memon^'s thong, 
To beg, with tender, pitying cry. 
For '^O, Susanna, don't you cryV^ 

^^^lat made her cry, I 'd like to know. 
Was she deserted by her beau ? 
Or did she have some powerful ache ? 
Or some dire scolding have to take ? 
O, where the cause, and what the why. 
That made poor, old Susanna cry? 

It seems too bad to leave her so. 
In such unmitigated woe. 
O, will not some one rise and tell 
If with Susanna all is well ? 
And let me know, before I die, 
\Miat 't was that made Susanna cry ? 
March 6, 18S7. 



31 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



God Knows Best. 

There are so many times when things go wrong, 
And best laid plans fulfillment do not gain, 

While disappointments make the way seem long ; 
Three little words could make reasons plain — 
God knows best. 

We often ask for things which, if we gained, 
A curse and torment soon would prove to be ; 

We judge so wrong, sometimes our friends are blamed ; 
Our eyes are blinded that we cannot see — 
God knows best. 

These mortal minds, fuU of unbelief. 

So full of error and so slow to learn. 
Ending, ofttimes, in bitter, hopeless grief. 

Happy for us if we can then discern 
God knows best. 

We blessings ask but do not trust His power, 
And meaningless petitions oft we say ; 

To mortals it would be the richest dower 

If they could understand, the while they pray, 
God knows best. 

We pray for health, the while we harbor doubt ; 

We ask, expecting not that we receive ; 
With God, our thoughts are not past finding out. 

The answer waits ofttimes till we believe 
God knows best. 



32 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

O Love Divine! Come to this mortal mind 
And take away my doubting and my fear ; 

Thus fed and sheltered, I shall surely find 
That God is All, and Love is always near — 

God knows best. 
July i, 1906. 



33 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



A Remembrance. 

In most our lives there comes a time when we 

Must gather all our powers to victor}' v^in. 

Long time ago, but I remember well, 

There came a time when, h^g calm and still, 

My new-bom babe close by, I felt content 

To sleep and take my rest ; a heaven it seemed, 

After that day and night of tortured pain, 

WTien time and all things else were blotted out, 

And naught remained save those con\'ulsive throbs 

\Miich mark the bounds of woman's suffering. 

I felt secure, nor dreamed of danger nigh. 

Until a whispered word caught on my ear : 

*'She 's sinking fast; the end is almost here.'' 

I tried to rouse, but found my strength had fled. 

Ah! then I felt, as I had not before. 

The creeping letharg}' I deemed so sweet. 

I summoned all my powers to make the fight 

.\nd cheat that monster, Death, from out his prey; 

It seemed to me 't was such a coward act 

To come upon me imawares, when I 

Had made so brave a fight, and needed rest. 

The valiant motherhood vrithin my breast 

Was now my best ally — that, and my will. 

I fought, and prayed, and conquered, you may know; 

You mothers will not fail to understand. 

Love guards its own — I could not leave my child. 

And then I learned a truth which still holds true, 



34 



RHYMES OF A LIFETI:ME 

That seldom do we use our highest gifts 
In battle against sin, disease or ^Tong, 
That power which links us with the Infinite, 
Unrecognized in daily miracle. 

January, 1892. 



35 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Easter Rhymes. 

^^The Risen Christ" we sing to-day, 
And ^^In His Name'' may we obey, 
And love, and trust, and worship here, 
And for His sake make Easter cheer. 



Immortahty! Oh! who can understand ? 

But, since Christ rose, we shall live again, 
Subject to his command. 

And I '11 give you greeting, 

And glad be the meeting, 
When we reach the "Beautiful Land." 



With the hope and faith that Easter brings 

We bridge the dreaded river. 
For, since Christ rose, we shall live again, 

And Death is door to — forever. 



Pansies and for get-me-nots I 
May they bring thee loving thoughts ; 
And this Easter be the brightest. 
And thy heart the very lightest. 
Thou hast known for many a year ; 
This my message, full of cheer. 

Pansies for thoughts ! May Easter ones come. 
Taking from toil the tedious humdrum. 
Lifting thy soul to the loftier heights, 
Bringing thee visions of heavenly sights, 
And Easter Day be a glad day to thee. 

36 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Pansies and forget-me-nots! 
May they bring thee loving thoughts ; 
Though buried under winter's snow, 
They will live again, you know. 
So may Easter bring to thee 
Thoughts of immortality. 



What do apple-blossoms say 

Unto you this Easter day ? 

That the flowers and fruit are hid 

In the branches brown and bare ; 
When our Risen Christ shall bid, 

You immortal life shall share ; 
And the change by death shall be 
An eternal gain to thee. 



Wild roses will come when the winter is past, 
God keeps them secure from the cold, wintry blast. 
Have faith in the Christ, and when this life is o'er 
You will rise to the mansions where Death is no more. 



Trailing arbutus under the snow. 

Waiting for spring-time their blossoms to show ; 

Ready with buds, and ever so bold 

When the spring comes their lids to unfold. 

And may they be a type 

Of thine own precious life, 
Preparing the graces which shall adorn 
Thy soul, on this glorious Easter mom. 



37 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

'^Pansies for thy thought.'' May thine be as sweet 
As the odor of violets crushed by thy feet ; 
And the coming of Easter, with visions so bright, 
Awake in thy bosom much thoughtful delight. 



May there come a solemn pleasure 
Stealing o'er your heart to-day. 

And the rich, exceeding treasure 
Of the Risen Christ for you 

Make you feel, what'er betide, 

That you 're rich, with Him to guide. 



My friend, may Easter bring to you 
The joy and faith of a believer; 

And may you ever keep in view 

The lovino; Christ, who brids:ed the River. 



38 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



The Early Crow. 

On January fourth, a crow! 

A most uncommon thing, I know ; 

But then I heard him caw, 

And though a trifle hoarse, 
I 'd vow each note the same 
As when last year he came. 
And put scarecrows to shame 

By rooting up the com. 

His prudent wife was nowhere nigh — 
Too shrewd was she to try to fly 
A northern trip, just now. 

She tried to keep him, too ; 
Was much afraid of Grippe, 
Or that Jack Frost would nip ; 
But he 'd not change a bit, 

This contrary old crow. 

I 'd like to see this fxmny pair. 
When he comes flying through the air, 
Bedraggled, home again. 

Most likely she will do 
As all her sex have done, 
And give him of the best 
There is within the nest. 
And make him doubly blessed — 

Because he played the fool. 

January 6, 1892. 



39 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Forget Me Not. 

When joys abound, and hopes are bright, 
.\nd all earth's ills are lost to sight; 
^Mien peace and plenty reign supreme, 
And over all broods love serene — 

Then, O my friend. 
Remember me, and care for me, 

And know that I 
ShaU think of thee, be glad with thee — 

Forget me not. 

In days of sorrow and of care, 
When thou hast many griefs to bear; 
WTien joys are few and hopes are dead, 
And many secret tears you shed — 

Then, O my friend, 
Remember me, and trust in me. 

And know that I 
Shall think of thee, and weep with thee. 

Forget me not. 

.\nd when death comes, and one must go 
And leave the other here below ; 
When on the brink of that broad sea 
Where all seems doubt and mysten.' — 

Then, O my friend. 
Remember me, and pray for me, 

.\nd know that I 
Shall think of thee, and long for thee. 

Forget me not. 



40 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And when in that blest home above 

We both shall be, where all is love, 

And friend meets friend, on earth once dear, 

And earthly love gains heavenl}^ cheer — 

Then, O my friend, 
Remember me and watch for me, 

And know that I 
Shall think of thee, and wait for thee. 

Forget me not. 

The Risen Christ, our Ruler there, 

May he permit us each to share 

In loving service, joyful praise 

To God our King, through endless days — 

Then, O my friend. 
Remember me and praise with me, 

And know that I 
Shall dwell with thee, and serve with thee. 

Forget me not. 

February, 1892. 



41 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



My Angel Guide. 

The night was coming on, and I was lost 
And far from home, could not retrace my way. 
The place was not upon some mountain wild 
Where paths of wild beasts intersect and cross ; 
Nor was it on the level, trackless plain, 
Where all of nature's landmarks are denied 
Save arching sky, and limitless expanse ; 
Nor in a forest where overhanging boughs 
Shut out the sunlight and confuse the mind. 

Ah, no! for I was lost where human life 
Pulses and throbs, and as I moved along 
The city streets were full, and noisy crowds 
Of men and women met or passed me by. 
I did not ask their aid, for I was shy. 
Not used to city ways, and dared not seek 
A stranger's aid to jSmd the place called home ; 
In all this teeming life I was alone. 

I stood at last where four ways met, and paused ; 
Which street led toward my home I did not know. 
Then, back a little from the pushing crowd. 
And close against a granite pile, I stood, 
And sought for help the only way I knew ; 
For, ever since long years ago, I learned 
From mother's lips the prayer the Master gave. 
I have been wont to go with simple needs 
To that Intelligence we call our God ; 
And, many times, so plain the answer came; 



42 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

While other times, in strange, unlooked-for ways, 

I could not fail to trace a guiding hand 

And more and more, in faith, to seek His aid. 

So now I simply prayed that He would guide 
Me home ; and the dear Father heard my cry. 
For some one took my hand, and, when I looked 
I saw no face but felt impelling power. 
Which sent me on my way without a fear. 
And soon I knew by some sweet, subtle sense 
That I was being led by the same hand 
That taught my infant steps to go aright. 
And which, with mother love, had cared for me 
And made my childish days so glad and bright, 
Until, when I was just at womanhood. 
Her summons came and I was left alone ; 
And I had never felt her near till now, 
When she had come, on angel ministry. 

And then our souls commimed ; although no word 
Was said, I felt she knew my blissful joy 
To have her clasp my hand again in love ; 
That she had known my grief these many years, 
Because that she had passed beyond my view ; 
And as for her I knew that all was well, 
That she was glad to come at His command, 
And that she gloried in my child-like faith. 

Meanwhile she led me fast, as well became 

A Heaven-sent guide, to answer simple prayer; 

While I was passive, simply being led 

And noting not the streets along the way. 

At last I felt my hand in closer clasp. 

And then my steps were stayed, and with a start 



43 



RHY^IES OF A LIFETI^IE 

I missed my guide and found myself alone. 
I gazed about and just across the way 
I saw the cottage home which I had sought ; 
The closer grasp was just a sweet ^^ good-bye." 

The years have passed since then, but never once 

Have I had doubt about my angel guide ; 

And though I often feel that she is near 

Yet never have I felt the old-time clasp, 

To prove again the presence of my guide. 

I wait content, for well I know, at last, 

When I shall need a guide upon the way 

Which leads through darkness to the Eternal Home, 

That she will come again and lead me thence ; 

And so I wait His will, and am content. 

April 19, 1S93. 



44 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Before the World. 

How little do we know or understand 
The life and thought of others near at hand ! 
We judge the outward, shallow acts of life 
And little know of secret, inward strife. 

We speak of one whose heart seems always light, 
We see no vigils of the lonely night ; 
The sighs and heartaches, and the bitter tears, 
Caused by the troubles of bygone years. 

What knows the world of deeds in darkness wrought. 
Of bitter battles with temptations bravely fought, 
The pitfalls lurking for unwary feet. 
And victories achieved, or sad defeat? 

Before the world, man rides in pomp and pride; 
Behind the scenes, there 's failure at his side. 
The world knows not the double life he leads. 
Deceptions rank, on which his nature feeds. 

What knows the world of motives or effects. 
The worth of evidence which it collects ? 
Too hastily the world has judged at times, 
And sometimes never hears of greater crimes. 

The judgment of the world so oft is wrong. 
Men cheat so easily by jest or song ; 
A passing glance, a hasty word, will show 
How quick it changes what it claimed to know. 



45 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

*'Man will his proper level always find.'' 
This maxim, coming from some ancient mind, 
Was never true, and should no more be said — 
So many are not prized 'til they are dead. 

What says the world ? It matters not to you, 
If to thyself thou canst be nobly true. 
The life that 's builded on the highest aim 
Can its integrity, imscathed, maintain. 

1892. 



46 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



To Mrs. B. 

" There is so much that I must leave undone, 
So many things that I would like to do ; 

I cannot think of scarce a victory won, 
So small appears the life, which I review." 

She spoke with real feeling, this dear friend 
Whom I had learned to love, long time ago ; 

To her ambitious soul the upward trend 

Of life, with all its hindering cares, was slow. 

With dainty ways, and tastes that are refined, 
She understands the *' Beautiful in Art" ; 

She likes best those books which upward lift the mind, 
And best of all, she hath a tender heart. 

And she has special gifts and would excel 
In music, language, or the ready pen ; 

But duty calls another way, and — well, 

She puts aside the tempting "might have been." 

Let ^s try to find the credit side for her. 
Who feels herself so much in debt to life ; 

Home-keeper, mother, wife : we do not err. 
Sometimes desire and duty must have strife. 

Home-keeper, ah! it shows, that word complex, 

A little of the duties never done ; 
Of cares and small economies that vex 

Those patient souls, whose homes a crown have won. 



47 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

A mother, yes ; three children fair and bright, 
With bodies to be washed and clothed and fed ; 

Three pairs of feet to walk the paths of right. 
Three pairs of hands, all waiting to be led. 

Thrice happy lot, for many a childless one 
Feels their denial hard indeed to bear ; 

And while you mourn of things undone. 
They envy you your jewels rich and rare. 

A happy wife is she, this gentle dame, 

Rejoicing in her husband's love possessed ; 

An artist he, in musical domain. 

Combined with common sense the very best. 

Earnest, intense, and taking little rest. 

Expecting much and giving with free heart. 

He keeps his wife up to her level best. 
Then stands beside to nobly do his part. 

How stands the record ? God alone doth know 

The secret motives underlying life ; 
But the results would plainly seem to show 

A balance for the mother and the wife. 

It matters not the things we leave undone 
If to the plainest call we meekly bow ; 

To-day's work done to-day is victory won. 
To-morrow's efforts are not called for now. 

These bright and happy days too soon will pass. 
The days of pain and sorrow, too, go by ; 

For all earth's ills, and pleasures too, alas! 
The potent ministry of time is nigh. 

48 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Then be content, dear one, and happy, too; 

Earth holds no greater blessings than thine own — 
To rear the children God hath given thee 

And be the center of an ideal home. 

January 14, 1892. 



49 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Retrospection. 

Many the days of gladness, 

But few the days of sadness, 
Which memory recalls among the years ; 

Those days when hearts were lightest, 

Those days when hopes were brightest, 
And youth looked forward gaily without fears. 

Those days were full of pleasures. 

Although our choicest treasures, 
Sometimes, were taken to return no more ; 

But God is good in dealing. 

And time is good in healing 
The deepest wounds from Mercy's bounteous store. 

But now we are regretting, 

So oft are we forgetting 
Those friends so dear, the best we had on earth ; 

So oft we failed to cherish. 

So oft we failed to nourish. 
The sparks of love upon our fireside hearth. 

Too oft, alas! we yielded 

Ourselves to sin, and shielded 
Our guilt behind our neighbor's wicked ways; 

And then, perhaps, some other. 

Our dearest friend or brother. 
Did follow us, to rue it all his days. 

And so, though in full measure 
Our days were heaped with pleasure. 
There 's much, so much, we wish had never been; 



50 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Our strength is perfect weakness, 
God grant in Thy completeness 
To blot out evil from the hearts of men. 

And when our days are ended, 

And we shall have ascended 
To join with others round Thy mercy seat ; 

O, may a joyful meeting 

With loved ones be our greeting. 
And we acceptance find at Jesus' feet. 
February 4, 1887. 



51 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



The Old Man's Lament. 

The old man sadly shook his head, 
*^ There's no one left, at last," he said, 
"Of those with whom I used to play, 
Not one is left this New- Year's Day. 

"It 's true, I'm old and deaf and bent, 
My days on earth are well-nigh spent; 
But I am homesick, sad and lone 
To think my old-time friends have flown. 

"The mother of my boys has gone. 
And Jim, her pet, he followed on ; 
I 've wondered if he found her there 
And is allowed her lot to share. 

"For she was pious as you please. 
While Jim, he never bent his knees ; 
So while she wrestled for us all 
She called us lost, by Adam's fall. 

"While here, she knew salvation's plan; 
Her views were strict for every man. 
And her best friends were lost indeed 
If they could not accept her creed. 

"Her views were n't reasonable to me. 
And there, of course, we did n't agree; 
But Jim was honest, kind and true. 
And — well, I guess he got his due. 



52 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

" And if he found a God at all 
He found a friend to heed his call ; 
And her views may be modified 
Since she the higher life has tried. 

^^Yes, I have sons and daughters left; 
Of other friends I 'm not bereft ; 
A second wife, as good as gold ; 
I 've blessings more than can be told. 

" But still, I think most every day 
Of those with whom I used to play 
When I was young, and cares were light, 
And all the world looked gay and bright. 

^^ And I would give of stocks or gold 
A goodly sum, to see the old 
Dear ones that I remember best; 
'T would make my second childhood blest. 

*^But no, the old man soon must go, 
The tides of nature onward flow ; 
When in that life which is to be, 
May I my friends of boyhood see." 

February, 1895. 



53 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Money. 

*' Money! money!" the Indian said, 
**It 's money there and money here; 

Money all day; at night, money; 
Money, all money, here at Pierre." 

Shrewd Tomahawk. With instinct keen, 
He studies men, and actions, too, 

And scents at once the motive power 
To which Pierre's rapid growth is due. 

^ Not out here for our health — O, no!" 

We hear men say so, with a smile; 
Dakota is a healthful state — 
That fact alone would not beguile. 

Men strive for what they value most — 
Religion, fortune, fame, or power; 

And to their choice the life responds 
From day to day, from hour to hour. 

And if within the secret heart 
The idol worshiped most is gold. 

Then soon the daily life reveals 
The strongest love, for dead and cold. 

The sympathy for higher things. 
The reverence for all things good; 

The man's true self, that lives for aye, 
Is naught, nor rightly understood. 



54 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

*^ Money! all money!" truly said, 
But at life's close will still be true, 

Naked as from the earth men came, 
They disappear from mortal view. 

"Money! all money! here in Pierre,'' 

A sorry fact it seems to be ; 
But in the Heaven men hope to gain 

Gold will not pay the entrance fee. 

August 3, 1891. 



55 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



"Fare Thee Well." 

I held her slender, shapely hand in mine, 
For there was parting for us, for a time ; 
And though I longed to speak I dared not try. 
So shook her hand and simply said, "good-bye." 

No doubt this maiden fair at once divined 

My doubtful, longing, anxious state of mind. 

She would not help my hopes and fears to tell. 

But as I tiurned away said sweedy, "Fare thee well." 

Just as I turned to go, in glad surprise 
I caught a new expression in her eyes. 
Which made me long at once to know my fate; 
Ah, me! That that expression came too late. 

But in the months that passed her letters came ; 
Kind, friendly notes, and closing all the same ; 
There seemed almost to be a magic spell 
In their sweet, gracious endings," Fare thee well." 

There seemed a benediction in the phrase 
Which helped to lighten many lonesome days ; 
For, well I argued, were her wishes vain. 
If at the last she should my love disdain. 

For absence proved what I had but dimly known. 
That for my home I needed her alone ; 
She held the keys of happiness and rest. 
Without her love my life would be unblest. 

56 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

So when we met at last, her hand in mine, 
No more to hesitate was I inclined ; 
*^Your wishes, dearest, will you help come true? 
For only can I fare quite well, with you/' 

Her eyes gave answer, and the story old 
Was in those precious moments quickly told; 
And since that time, in bright or cloudy weather 
My Love and I are faring well, together. 

February, 1895. 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Myself and I. 

Myself and I are the closest of friends, 
We journey together by night and by day, 

And we cannot tell when the compact ends. 
But pleasant the time and short seems the way. 

Myself is the one who will live for aye, 
This short life on earth insures life again ; 

But I have only this brief litde day, 

A mixture of pleasure, and toil and pain. 

Myself, I can never quite understand. 

The heights and the depths I cannot make plain; 
Mysterious being, with power of command. 

On earth live to live, a heaven to gain. 

The things I w^ould do are often undone. 
Myself is the conscience, with saving help ; 

But sometimes, alas! I have victories won 
Without the consent of watchful Myself. 

Repentance comes, followed by higher aim. 
And so the years go by, with record fair ; 

The dual life to which I give a name 

Closes at last ; the grave will tell you where. 

This strong right arm, this willing, dextrous hand, 
Belong, ^^'ith all the body's powers, to I ; 

When comes the end they silendy disband. 
No resurrection for ]Mvself's allv. 



58 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And shall we grieve that this is nature's way, 
A little life, then gone from human sight ? 

If I were all of life, this little day. 

Then never could we call it just or right. 

But ^'Made by God, in His own image" fair, 
Myself has always lived, cannot decay; 

A part of His great plan and in His care. 
Because of love, Myself will live for aye. 

I fain would know, ere I am still and dead. 
And Self has risen with an immortal form, 

Will memory hold fast the life we led, 

Myself and I, through sunshine and through storm ? 

'T is hard, sometimes, to think upon the end — 
The cold, dark grave below the world's sweet hum, 

The parting from my life-long, constant friend, 
Myself, who leaves me, nevermore to come. 

Myself, methinks, will pity feel at last. 

And grieve somewhat to lay earth's garment by; 

But when the mystery of death is passed 

And learned the meaning of the words, *^to die," 

Then I am sure that all will right appear. 
The long "good-byes" we do not understand; 

Departed then are my despair and fear : 
My future life is in my Father's hand. 
June, 1892. 



59 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



May, 1888. 

^^He maketh it soft with showers," 

This beautiful month of May. 
The long, long months of winter have passed, 
The beauty of summer dawns at last ; 

And the Power which rules o 'er all 
Is even now in the springing grass, 
The budding trees, and the clouds that pass, 

The same as He was of old. 



60 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Highways and Byways. 

We are two individuals, my friend, 
With our separate tastes and ways; 

And the difference you feel to blame, 
In reality calls for praise. 

We are bound for the mansions of the King, 
And you think your road is the best ; 

The path is level and easy to tread 
As you go at the King's behest. 

You travel the road your fathers trod. 

As near as you possibly can. 
While I believe in a different route 

For each son and daughter of man. 

My road is uneven, with hills and dales, 

And sometimes I wearily tread ; 
But the outlook gained from the highest points 

Repays for the tears I have shed. 

Sometimes the valleys are narrow and long. 
And they torture and shut me in ; 

And I tire of the common, even round 
And am ready to climb again. 

Your nature is tranquil ; no sudden gust 

Of passion or anger intrudes, 
As with patience serene you live your life 

With no hindering interludes. 



6i 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

My nature seems made of contrary moods ; 

I am never satisfied long 
To passively take my life as it comes, 

The good intermingled with wrong. 

So I question, and climb with eager tread, 

Till I conquer at last, and rest. 
While I gain new strength for another round; 

And for me, my way is the best. 

But, my friend, your way is the best for you. 

To your nature it is akin ; 
And by easy journeyings, safe and slow, 

You the mansions will enter in. 

But do not lament or rebel, my friend. 

Let your outlook be high and broad; 
Remember the Father's love for His own. 

Nor limit the goodness of God. 

There are broad highways which lead to the King, 

Where his followers all are known ; 
But many the byways his saints have trod, 

And suffered and conquered alone. 

But I think we shall meet one day, my friend. 
When the journeyings all are through ; 

The highways and byways will all be one, 
When the mansions appear in view. 

And do not be troubled for me, my friend. 
Though our paths may be sundered wide; 

They will surely end at last in His love. 
In which we shall ever abide. 
May 28, 1893. 

62 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Which —You or I ? 

Some time, dear love, O, can it be, 
That one of us will surely see 
The other's fitful, struggling breath, 
And watch the eyelids close in Death, 
After the last expiring sigh ? 
Will it be you? Will it be I ? 

Some time, dear love, one lonely heart 
Will lose from life the brightest part, 
And look with dim and tearful eyes 
Upon the darkened earth and skies, 
And long for the ^^ Sweet Bye and Bye." 
Will it be you? Will it be I ? 

Some time, dear love, one will recall 
Past days, those happiest of all, 
When we were bound together here 
By love's sweet ties, so firm and dear; 
Recall the time when Death drew nigh — 
Will it be you? Will it be I ? 

Some time, dear love, we known not when, 
One soul will leave the abodes of men, 
And go beyond its faithful mate 
To meet its God, and know its fate, 
And learn what means the words ^^to die." 
Will it be you? Will it be I ? 

Some time, somewhere, O, will it be, 

Dear love, that one will wait to see. 

And earthward roam, to watch and guide, 



63 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Unseen, unknown, its earthly pride. 
And hear the bitter, lonely cry? 
Will it be you? Will it be I ? 

Some time, dear love, O, wondrous grace. 
Shall we again be face to face. 
And find the earthly love more dear, 
With all the added heavenly cheer ? 
Together work, together praise, 
Dear love and I, through endless days. 

April i6, 1887. 



64 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



The Truth. 

Why should I claim that I the Truth have found, 
When the horizon, shutting in my view, 

So narrow is, with little solid ground 

To prove my judgments and opinions true ? 

The Truth is vast, and deep as boundless sea ; 

Some little gems mixed with the sand I find; 
They may be golden, but the mystery 

Appalls, and awes my human, finite mind. 

I do not limit or define God's plan. 

And God himself. All that I claim to know 

Is that He loves and cares for every man ; 

That much the Master taught while here below. 

Made in His image, with a likeness fair. 
He called man good, creation's highest type ; 

Reflecting God, we ever need to bear 
Within our hearts the impress of His life. 

Faith, Hope, and Charity, the Graces three — 
We need them aU, successfully to live; 

Faith in a love abounding, full, and free. 
The Father will His children freely give. 

And Hope, we need, that when this life shall end. 
And through the portal men call Death we stray, 

Somewhere, in God's universe, we spend 
Continued life, with those we love to-day. 

65 



R H Y ^I E S OF A LIFETIME 

And Charity should in our lives abound, 

For brighter minds than ours, honest, sincere, 

Have searched for Truth, and at the last have found 
A different faith from ours, which they revere. 

And there are grains of truth in var}'ing creeds, 
Which show their force in purer, loftier aims, 

And flower at last, in generous kindly deeds, 
And thus their kinship to *^The Truth" proclaim. 

Error will die and soon forgotten be, 

While Truth her treasures more and more will show; 
And what to-day is doubt and mystery 

Will some time stand revealed, that aU may know. 

April io, 1895. 



I 



66 



CHAUTAUQUA POEMS. 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Chautauqua Class-Day Poem. 

Just here on the threshold, and wonderingly, 

I stop and query : Can I enter in 
And pass out to my friends of the C. L. S. C. 

Anything, hoping their pleasure to win ? 
For nearly a year together we 've read. 

And pleasant the hours spent together each week ; 
And now the year's lessons have all been said, 

And we a vacation shall gratefully seek. 

The few who have fallen out by the way 

We have missed, and lamented their absence each day, 

And we trust that ne'er daunted, they will try once 

again, 
And the object in view they will some time attain. 
There is no royal road to the learning we crave, 

And every Chatauquan finds much to perplex, 
But loving companionship helps to make brave. 

As together we study on questions that vex. 

There is many a hero who never is known. 

There is many a victor who never is crowned. 
And the path that is trod by the mistress of home 

Is beset by hard places, which freely abound. 
The things crowded out, the defeats, may appall. 

But the path of endeavor, when thoroughly scanned, 
Will show many more conquests than failures, in all, 

If through all we reach up to take hold of His hand 
Who has promised to help all His children below. 

And the duties we place on our list of to-day 

69 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Will be helped over many hard spots, if we go 
In the spirit of love, and the wish to obey. 

And now 'ere I close this strange medley of mine, 
Let me read you a lesson on duty divine. 
Since the strangest vicissitudes follow our feet, 
And we never again on this summit may meet. 
You '11 permit me to give you a little advice, 
Which I freely will give, without money or price. 

Let Honesty bloom like a rose on your face, 
And Integrity clothe you in garments of grace; 
Take Cheerfulness, too, for your friend and your guide, 
And Contentment will follow, where 'er you abide. 
And now I will close with good wishes expressed. 
That you all may live long to be honored and 

blessed. 
And when, in October, we leave off our play. 
May we find new recruits from our friends of to-day ; 
And with new-kindled zeal press steadily on 
Till we finish the course, and with victory won 
Receive our diplomas, and feel well repaid, 
By the knowledge attained, for all sacrifice made. 

June 30, 1SS6. 



70 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Valentine Rhymes — February, 1887. 

In time of joy, and sorrow, too. 

My heart goes out, dear love, to you ; 

You seem enshrined within my heart, 

To be of aU my life a part. 

And so, I know, best friend of mine, 

You are mv truest Valentine. 



'Mid winter snows and frosty air. 
Toboggan chutes and maidens fair. 
My heart still reaches out to thine, 
My true and lovely Valentine. 

And if through life we both could jog 
As safely as on my '^tobog," 
We 'd feel no fear, and laugh at time, 
Mv true and lovelv Valentine. 



To every sister here to-day, 
WTio tried to write some verse, I 'U say : 
Don 't be discouraged if you fail ; 
The cause wiU in the end prevail, 
And each become, in course of time, 
Some man's beloved Valentine. 



71 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



The Ride of the Geese. 

Written jor the Chaufauquan's Ride to Waterhury, 

There 's nothing in philosophy, 
Or any studied 'ology, 

Which tells of women trying to be geese; 
'T would be about as sensible, 
And quite as reprehensible, 

As those old fellows, long ago, who sought the ^' Gold- 
en Fleece." 

Those men of ancient history 

Have always been a mystery 
To those who claim that men are always right ; 

Not a goose from here to Scotia 

Has one half the braggadocio 
Of those old, lordly heroes, in their might. 

If the men are scientific. 

They must own we are prolific 
In ways and measures to extend our power ; 

No use to try concealing 

What is every day revealing, 
That woman's influence is gaining every hour. 

If they study evolution, 

They '11 arrive at the solution 
Of the matter they so little understand; 

For the women must get clever 

If, persisting, they endeavor 
To attain the dizzy heights which men command. 



1 



RHYAIES OF A LIFETIME 

It is quite an aspiration, 

And should merit approbation, 
For a goose to try and make a higher flight ; 

For of old they were contented. 

And were never thought demented, 
If they only kept the ganders just in sight. 

There may be a minority 

Of those now in authority 
Who like to lend the geese a helping hand; 

But more who, by word and action. 

Show the greatest satisfaction 
If she fails to reach the best in all the land. 

It is mostly when we venture 

To abide their ready censure, 
By a little independence in our ways, 

That they call us geese, in facto. 

And in many ways do act so. 
That they make us long for better, brighter days. 

In fashionable society. 

To gain a notoriety 
Among the men you 've known for many a day. 

Join some circle for improvement. 

Be original, but prudent. 
And you '11 give these masculines a deal to say. 

When, to join the grand Chautauqua, 

Come the mother, wife, and daughter. 
Then the epithet of "geese" is just the thing 

To express a man's conviction 

That the scheme is an infliction 
Of the rights and perquisites of man's old ring. 



73 



K U V M K S O F A L I K K r 1 M E 

And then the joining all ti>gether, 

Like to birds of common feather, 
In some Weighing trolic, with their Uudships ow/; 

We well know how they will hluster, 

And will fume and fret and fluster, 
All because the geese can with them do without. 

And we do not care a jiffy 

If, in om little city, 
We 're the theme for much sarcastic comment now ; 

From absolute inanity, 

Which comes quite neai m.^amty, 
Men's talk, for such a cause, will *'take the cake," 

I vow. 

But among the unattainable. 

And quite as unexplainable. 
Desires we have to ever upward fly 

Comes the one that stays the longest, 

And so proves itself the strongest — 
To win iHir brothers' favor, ere we die. 

We don't join the club *' Apollo,'' 

And we never try to follow 
In our brothers' steps, which keep them late o' nights ; 

What, O, what, would be their verdict 

Should we ever prove derelict, 
To home duties, all because of *^ woman's rights?" 

Hut we have no evening session. 

And are noted for discretion, 
And whenever they get ready they will tmd 

That they surely are the gainer, 

Spite of every past disclaimer. 
For home study must improve a goose's mind. 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



My Dream. 

{The dream, in any form, has never been repeated.) 

Since childhood days, all through the years, 
Has often come one dream to me, 

Which, slightly varied yet the same, 
A puzzle strange has proved to be. 

I dream to me the power is given 
To upward soar, as glad and free 

As any wildwood bird that flies 
In his own element, can be. 

And yet I do not fly, but rise. 

A few quick breaths, and arms worked fast, 
Then up I soar into the skies ; 

The first quick motions do not last. 

And almost always out of doors. 

With the arched dome of sky for roof, 

The impulse comes to rise and leave 
The friends who always stand aloof, 

To watch me rise, and use the power 
Which never unto them was given; 

There always seems a multitude 
When thus I start, as if to Heaven. 

I never dream of company, 

When thus I sally forth alone ; 
My greatest wish is solitude ; 

I never think of friends or home. 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And, after I have gained the rest 
Which such a change is sure to give, 

Then always back I come to earth, 
As willing as before to live. 

The coming down I do not dread; 

With arms close-folded to my side, 
I softly breathing, sure and safe, 

Down gently — O, so gently! — glide. 

I always hold my breath at first. 
That seems to start the action right ; 

And always follow the same path 
I made when in my upward flight. 

But sometimes, in some building vast, 
As 'midst the throng I moved below, 

The impulse I could not resist 
Would send me up, where to and fro 

In shadowed corners I would glide. 
While all the astonished ones below 

Would gaze aloft, as if amazed 
To see me go, now fast, now slow. 

And always that delicious thrill 
Would steep my sleeping senses through, 

And, waking, haunt me all the day 
And make me wish 't was really true. 

A strange, wild dream, you say ; 't is true, 

But stranger still to me, the truth 
That this same dream comes to me now. 

Repeating visions seen in youth. 

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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

But last night came the dream again, 

The first part natural, as of old, 
But adding to it at the close 

A sequel, which no price of gold 

Would ever tempt to really come ; 

And now I fear my old, pet dream 
Will never come to me again. 

And with those happy fancies teem. 

I dreamed that in some building vast. 
So great the eye could not discern 

The bounding line, my friends and I 
Were wandering round to see and learn. 

When the old feeling came to me 
That I would rise above them all, 

And from the heights above look down 
Where I could see both great and small. 

And, as I rose, to my surprise, 

I found that in those stories vast. 
Were stores of hay, all fresh and sweet. 

Which in huge scaffold-piles were cast. 

They made me think of childhood days, 
When in the barn we used to play. 

And with our merry comrades jumped 
From scaffold down into the hay. 

These terraced piles were on the sides. 
The central part, from roof to floor, 

Was filled with curious gems of art. 
One never saw the like before. 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And O, the sweet, supreme delight, 

The perfect ecstacy of joy! 
I gave no heed to time or change, 

'T was perfect rest without alloy. 

And so I scanned the whole huge pile, 

From turret to foundation stone, 
And found new wonders all the while 

To tempt me longer still to roam. 

At last I thought of friends below. 

And down I glided to the floor; 
But what a change had come to all ! 

It seemed that years had passed, a score. 

My husband, wrinkled, old and gray. 
My children, passed from childhood now. 

They welcomed me as from the grave 
And begged of me to make a vow 

That I would never thus again 

Pass from their sight, and make them mourn ; 
But even while they plead my heart 

Did seem of kindly feelings shorn. 

A feeling never known before, 

Submission : why, it made me wild. 

And even then I wished to go, 
And heeded not my loving child, 

A beauteous maiden, fair and sweet, 
Who gently tried my skirts to hold ; 

I heeded not, but planned to go 
With the same motions as of old. 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And as I rose, without my will, 
Like magnet strong I held her fast, 

And her sweet eyes, as I looked down. 

Seemed frightened, as with tightened grasp 

She clung, as faster on we sped ; 

Her weight an added speed did give. 
At such a rate we could not go. 

I tried to plan so both could live. 

I turned one side, to where the hay 

Seemed softly piled, and shook her free ; 

The shock and fright were both too great, 
And like one dead she seemed to be. 

Then out from some dark recess near. 
And with her sad eyes fixed on me. 

There came a form I well did know — 
My Mother, as she used to be. 

My Guardian Angel sure had come 

To help undo my evil deed. 
But with her eyes so fixed on me. 

It plainly seemed she did not heed 

Her steps aright, and quite too near 

The edge she trod. O, misery! 
She stumbled, fell, and disappeared. 

And O, it seemed an age to me 

Before I heard the low, dull thud 
Which told me she had struck, was dead; 

And then in terror wild I flew. 
And to the farthest corner sped. 



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And soon a rumble, deep and long, 
Like thunder, shook the region vast ; 

And then a shock and jar so great, 
I clutched a beam, and held it fast. 

Just then, upon the pile below, 

I saw a chasm open wide, 
A grave it seemed, and from its depth 

A form stepped forth. I could not hide, 

For well I knew that form Divine. 

No fancy could have come more true 
Than His dear face I'd pictured oft. 

With heavenly glory shining through. 

The whole sad story well He knew. 

And, with a face wondrous mild, 
And voice so low and clear, He said : 

"Know you, my wayward, erring child, 

*' Whence comes the power to you, alone, 

To sail the sky, to soar above. 
And who has taken from thy heart 

The old-time tenderness and love ? 

"To you alone cannot be given 

The power to shun all care below; 
'T is selfishness supreme to leave. 

And so forget, all human woe. 

"The spirit of evil alone 

Is the soiu-ce of your wondrous power; 
I will save, and help you atone 

For the deeds which you have wrought this hour." 

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RHYMES OF A LIFETI:ME 

Then He left me and turned away, 

And over me slowly there broke 
His meaning, and, sobbing with grief, 

I tried to descend, and awoke. 

June 28, 1886. 



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In Memoriam of J. G. W. 

If time be numbered by the deeds of men, 
Their great achievements, or the nation's growth, 
Then it was long ago that Whittier came, 
A prophet of the Lord, to bless the world. 
A poet, seer, who well divined men's needs. 
And led them Heavenward by his power of song. 
He came when narrow creeds were not outgrown, 
And superstitions rank choked up the Word, 
And made of God a monster to be feared. 
For justice far outweighed His tender love. 

Then slavery cursed this fair and fruitful land. 

And men like beasts were lashed and bought and sold, 

While few were stirred to pity, or to help. 

Ah, yes, the world was young when Whittier came. 

For then the powers of steam were all unknown ; 

And that electric, subtle spark, which fills all space. 

Had not been tamed and harnessed into line. 

To lift man's burdens and obey his will ; 

Nor man's inventive skill had filled the land 

With labor-saving products of his brain. 

He lived when honest, humble toil prevailed; 

Of Quaker birth, he filled his lowly place. 

Fulfilling daily tasks with mind serene. 

Knowing not luxury or pampered ease. 

'T was in this early time that Whittier came. 

To be the Moses of a purer faith. 

And lead men from the wilderness of creeds, 

And turn them Heavenward with his songs of praise. 

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RHYMES OF A LIFETI^^IE 

He felt the Eternal Goodness fold him round, 
And love for God made human loves more sweet, 
And every man a brother and a friend, 
WTiile color mattered not, or sect, or race. 
Courageous, brave and strong, he dared to stand 
Alone, and battle ^ith tremendous wrongs, 
WTiere others, groping, strove to find the way; 
His sight was clear, for to his Pisgah height 
No mist obscured the path where duty lay. 

His was a rounded life, with length of day, 

WTiich he enjoyed with clear, unclouded brain. 

And as a recompense for valor shown. 

He lived to know that Right and Truth are strong; 

And as their ally, with his weapons mild. 

Full many a noble ^'ictory they had won. 

He lived to know that ever}- slave was free. 

And know that they would have, at last, a chance 

To rise above mere menial servitude. 

His faith, his creed, forbade that he should join 

The multitudes of men on bloody fields, 
\Mio sought to win their cause by force of arms; 
But were there mighty ^Tongs, injustice, sin, 
Then straight from his great heart he sent a song 
To touch the nation's conscience, and become 
A saving help, a guide in time of need. 

He \\TOte until the last ; not feeble stuff, 
WTiich some have given the world, at evening time, 
But, full of noon-day strength ; he left no word 
\Miich his best friend could wish were blotted out. 
'T was well men gave him honor while he lived, 
No praise could harm his beautiful white soul ; 

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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And glad was he to know his written words 
Would live forever in the hearts of men. 
And to the last he gloried in his friends, 
Was loyal, steadfast, true to those he loved. 
His strength, the measure of his kindly deeds. 
While titful burned the flickering lamp of life. 
The end was peaceful, for he long had been 
Ready, whenever his dear Lord should call. 

And it is well to honor Whittier now, 
To tell his story and repeat his song; 
For he has help for every humble need. 
To soothe our sorrows, or to ease our cares ; 
And, if a soul is searching for the light. 
Victorious, glorified, he points the way. 
December i, 1802. 



RHYMES () F A I. I V K T I M E 



News of the Week. 

My niche in h*fe is quite too small 
For me to scan this huge earth-ball, 
And tell you news of latest day, 
Except in an imperfect way. 

This is a strange old planet world, 
Whose banner long has been unfurled. 
The heavens are filled with wondrous light, 
Which points to the Creator^s might. 

The suns and moons now wax, now wane, 
The Eternal Power marks loss and gain. 
And years and seasons go and come 
By His command, whose will is done. 

The world is full of human life, 
With all its pain, and joy, and strife; 
New life succeeds the death of age, 
And birth is stamped on every page. 

In God's own image, king of all; 
Yet many changes must befall 
The babe, who starts with feeble breath, 
Before his eyelids close in death. 

The helpless babe to childhood grows, 
His powers increase as on time flows, 
And soon he 's reached his richest prime, 
Of all God's creatures most divine. 



8s 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

He turns to use electric force 
And marks for steam the proper course, 
Makes time and tide obey his will, 
The world with wonders helps to fill. 

And yet, he 's beaten every day — 
Fire, frost, and flood do not obey. 
And earthquakes rock, volcanoes fright. 
And man's best work is lost from sight. 

Disease and death on every hand. 
The strongest yield to their demand. 
And mourning homes do testify 
That man is born, alas! to die. 

But youths still wed and babes are born. 
Old age comes on and grows forlorn. 
And riches quickly take their flight. 
While poverty defies the right. 

The lust of man betrays the maid. 
Strong drink makes brightest hopes to fade. 
Revenge and hate wage fearful ill 
As men their destiny fulfill. 

But hope still lives, for Christ was born, 
The darkest night yields to the morn. 
And Love and Truth do daily win 
In battles against hate and sin. 

And so the world goes marching on; 
New life will come when we are gone. 
All this is going on each week. 
My friend, is this the news you seek ? 

May 9, 1887. 

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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



The Weather. 

No topic known gets such consideration, 

With interest of real appreciation, 
As weather, in each varying mood ; 

For there 's no hard condition 

By which she gains admission — 
She comes without once being wooed. 

No danger that we ever, altogether. 

Should lack the thing essential men call weather. 
Instead, we have enough to spare ; 

In this northern hemisphere 

We have too much atmosphere ; 
It never is high-priced or rare. 

If there could only be some computation. 

By which there could be formed a combination 
To rid ourselves of extra force. 

Which could be good procuring. 

Instead of our enduring. 
What is so much of ill the source. 

Fact is, the weather in its variation 

Much too erratic is for admiration; 
For rash extremes we never sigh. 

If we could make selection, 

There would be less objection; 
The average mean we 'd like to try. 

Sometimes there seems a general hesitation 
'Mongst elements, for their administration. 
Making the vernal, balmy spring 

87 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

A season so belated, 
With frost and rain so freighted, 
Disasters they will surely bring. 

Rains come in floods, with horrors devastating, 

And work man's ruin without hesitating; 
And ere the year comes to an end 

Drouths come with force appalling, 

Attending evils calling, 
And man stands helpless to defend. 

It seems in our united constitution. 

The weather gets uneven distribution ; 
Some states too wet, others too dry; 

This fact is quite alarming. 

For it affects the farming, 
On which the nations live or die. 

Most any one could plan some alteration 

Which would produce, in part, amelioration. 
Leave out entire the tragic things ; 

In plays the scenes dramatic 

Make action more emphatic; 
In life, less stir more comfort brings. 

Some stars, we 've lately found, lack altogether 

The most needful ingredients for weather ; 
On them there is no air to breathe, 

But hot, metallic vapors 

Surround our far-off neighbors; 
To live there one would surely seethe. 

Now, we could spare, and never miss the giving. 
Enough of wholesome air to fit for living 
Some of those far-off burning spheres. 

ss 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

'T would lessen earth's tornadoes, 
Cyclones, and such bravadoes, 
And make us safe for future years. 

Could we find customers, we 'd advertise 

To sell our surplus weather merchandise ; 
All zero weather we could spare. 

And the equinoctial gales, 

And the devastating trails 
That blizzards and tornadoes share. 

'T is said that when great needs demand attention, 

Man always comes with opportune invention. 
And science and ingenious skill 

Soon solve the situation. 

Giving a demonstration 
Of wondrous powers of human will. 

The electric force man found was all-pervading. 

And tamed and harnessed it for labor saving; 
And other mighty forces wait 

For human subjugation. 

To bring alleviation 
To woes that now seem obdurate. 

Some slight success has come to those rain making ; 

Let that perfected be, the undertaking 
Would richest resources unfold; 

Then turn the lamp of science 

To search for an appliance 
To regulate both heat and cold. 

So then, as matters stand, we 've this reflection. 
That with too much we cannot make selection; 
We cannot change the program yet, 

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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Till science comes relieving, 
And seeing is believing, 
That weather will a master get. 
April, 1895. 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Come Back to Me. 

Come back to me, O come back, 
Those beautiful thoughts of the night, 

When, in silence unbroken, 

And words all unspoken. 
My spirit was filled with delight. 

Come back to me, O, come back, 
Those fancies departing by day; 
They are not all a dream. 
Although, like it, they seem 
With the sunlight to vanish away.- 

Come back to me, O, come back. 
The helper who comes at my call ; 

Does she hide in my brain. 

And impel me to gain 
The fancies which often enthrall ? 

Come back to me, O, come back. 
Be you spirit, goblin, or elve! 
You are ghost-like and weird, 
But by me you 're revered, 
While in poesy's garden we delve. 

Come back to me, O, come back. 
With your easily-ending rhyme ; 
Wherefore come in the night, 
When your mission is right, 
And would honor the bright daytime ? 



91 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Come back to me, O, come back, 
For in trouble, sorrow, or pain, 

You my spirits can cheer 

If I feel you are near, 
And sunlight surrounds me again. 

Come back to me, O, come back, 
With your forceful, insistent power — 

Inspiring, awaking. 

If need be, creating; 
Come back and be with me each hour. 

July, 1892. 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Advice to "Idea Hunters." 

As we dispel the winter's dust, 

And scour and clean each spot of rust, 

So may Idea Hunters toil 

To make our minds a rich, free soil. 

Wherein can grow some sure design 

To help our lives and homes refine ; 

And every weed and blemish there 

Be rooted out with greatest care. 

And, though we 're never known to fame, 

Yet, in our niche, we '11 make a name 

For honest work and upward aim. 

For that, at least, all may attain. 

April i6, 1887. 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



"They Say." 

I ask for your authority. 

Who tells the news you quote so glib 
Of this one's deed, and that one's shame, 
Of this one good, and that one blame? 

I want some one to own them all, 

These wondrous tales you know so well ; 
And, when I ask, do you obey 
When all your answer is, ^^They Say?" 

I do not know where "They Say" lives; 

His home must sure be down below, 
For sin and trouble surely spring 
From seeds which "They Say" give the wing 

Let 's hunt him down, and never quote 

A power so strong to evil given ; 
Let 's know the truth of what we hear, 
Or else not lend a willing ear. 



Farev^ell to the Ov^ls. 

{Sung to the tune of ^^Old Hundred.^^) 

Good-bye, old owls, We hope our play 
Has not disturbed your sleep to-day ; 
And when to-night your hoots you plan. 
Give one to every Chau-tau-quan. 
June 30, 1886. 

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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Birthday Rhymes. 

Ever the years fly swiftly by, 
And changes come to you and I ; 
But may this token prove to thee 
My never-changing constancy. 



^'Pansies for thoughts!'' May thine be as bright 
As the many-hued blossoms I bring to your sight, 
And life's pathway of duty, in thankfulness trod, 
Receive the grand plaudit, *^ Well done," by our 
God. 

May this birthday be the brightest, 
And thy heart the very lightest. 
Thou hast known for many a year ; 
This my message, full of cheer. 



Only a handful of pansies. 
Plucked in the morning dew; 

I send them with loving greeting, 
And a glad birthday to you! 

May this handful of pansies 
Bring sweet thoughts to thee ; 

And thy life from now onward 
From sorrow be free. 



O, may the kind Father, 

Who gives flowerets their dress. 
Be near to you ever, 

With rich thoughts to bless. 



95 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

O, may these flowers of lovely hue 
This message bear from me to you : 
That, though the years fly swift and sure, 
My love for thee shall still endure. 



By this token I would say : 
May you have a glad birthday. 

1880. 



96 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



To Longfellow. 

For Longfellow Day, C. L, S. C. 

Blessed spirit, from thy home above, 
Canst thou look down and see the love 
And faith and pride of those to-day. 
Who celebrate ^'Longfellow Day"? 

Thy life, so pure and free from wrong. 
Echoes to-day in one grand song 
Throughout America's broad land, 
From eastern shore to western sand. 

Thy noble ministry of song 
Was ever used to right the wrong, 
And those oppressed looked up to thee, 
Rejoicing in thy melody. 

The children knew thee for their friend. 
And early learned the words you penned ; 
Thou gav'st to them ''The Children's Hour," 
With all its tenderness and power. 

And wee ones lisp its verses through 
With thoughts in their young hearts of you; 
And, though the years fly swift and sure, 
That one bright hour will long endure. 

We thank thee for thy "Psalm of Life," 
So strong 'gainst selfishness and strife ; 
For "Fireside" and for "Seaside" gems — 
Better than kingly diadems. 



97 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

We thank thee for the all you wrote, 
The all you did, the all you spoke, 
That helps to lead us up to-day 
Into a better, purer way. 

A studious youth, a grand old age, 
A rounded life, were thine, dear Sage ; 
A poem, seventy-five years long. 
Unrivaled in its rhythmic song. 

I often think that spirits risen 
From earthly life to homes in Heaven 
Would hardly dare come back again 
To view earth's sinfulness and pain. 

But, could you, just this one day, see 

The members of C. L. S. C, 

Who speak your name and read your word, 

Whose hearts with loving thoughts are stirred, 

Then would you know the very truth : 
That men and maidens, age and youth, 
All join in chorus grand, to say, 
'Tn love we keep Longfellow Day." 

January i8, 1886. 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Class Song. 

We need not say good-bye, 

No partings come, 
No tears need fill the eye, 
A year is done ; 
Swiftly the days have passed, 
Months made the year at last. 
All gone into the past. 
We need not mourn. 

Chorus. 
We need not say good-bye, 
Say good-bye, say good-bye ; 
We need not say good-bye. 
No, not good-bye. 

Oft we shall meet again. 

Old friends and new; 
Long years and months remain, 

Fresh work to do. 
Then join in grateful praise, 
In all expressive ways. 

Because our happy days fulfill the time. 

Chorus. 
Oft we shall meet again. 
Meet again, meet again; 
Oft we shall meet again. 
Yes, meet again. 

Reach out the helping hand 
To those in need, 

99 

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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Help them to join your band 

By word and deed. 
There 's noble work to do, 
With victory in view, 
If rightly we pursue 

C. L. S. C. 

Chorus. 
Reach out the helping hand. 
Helping hand, helping hand; 
Reach out the helping hand 
Of this, your band. 



€' 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



James Russell Lowell. 

*^The People's Poet," men did say, 
As tenderly they laid away 
This man who was the people's friend, 
Their loyal helper to the end. 

With pen aflame he wrote for Right ; 
Keen, brilliant wit urged on the fight, 
With comic satire oft the guise 
To point a lesson to the wise. 

Plain, homely themes he often chose. 
And tried to write the poor man's woes, 
And those who held the vantage ground 
In him a strong opponent found. 

Of nature's ways he held the key 
To many a secret mystery; 
And birds and flowers and sunny skies 
In Lowell found a student wise. 

We cannot follow over there. 
And see him changed and grown more fair; 
But we can trust, for well v/e know 
One backward step he cannot go. 

And if when here he led the way. 
And helped the masses, then we say 
That he will still a leader be. 
In that unknown Eternity. 

And this dear world he loved so long 
Will not forget her Lowell's song; 
For Lowell's love, and Lowell's scorn. 
Will reach to millions yet unborn. 
January 2, 1892. 



R H YMES OF A LIFETIME 



The Lovers. 

(After ^^The Two Gun?ters,^' in Blglow Papers.) 

Two fellers that I use ter know 
(I 'U call them simply Jim and Joe), 
Were both in love, and, strange to say, 
Their fancy led the selfsame way. 
For both were courtin' the same gal ; 
Her name was Jones, her fust name, Sal. 

Now, Jim and Joe were friends, clean threw, 
And allers hed ben jest so, tew. 
And coz their fancy wuz the same 
They held that neither wuz to blame. 
And talked it over in friendly way. 
For both were honest as the day. 

Fust one, then t' other, took her out, 
And tried to solve the pesky doubt; 
If one she fancied more than t' other, 
They could n't tell — she could n't, nuther. 
Says Joe to Jim, ^^Git her, 'f ye can; 
I '11 try to bear it like a man." 
Says Jim to Joe, ^'1 swan I will. 
But you must duplicate the bill. 
You pop the fust; if she says S^es' 
I 'U wish you well, nor love you less.'* 

But still they kind o' loitered round. 
And visited Sal, when time they found; 
They farmed it, and in stormy weather, 
Sometimes they w^ent along together. 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And seemed to trust to Providence 
To help them down from off the fence. 

And Providence did. Young Parson Cole, 

He noticed Sal, and thought her soul 

Wuz in grate peril, and that he 

Wuz just the one to set her free. 

He studied out, and every day 

He thought o' suthin new to say 

'Bout 'lecting grace, and man's free will, 

And Adam's fall, and jedgment, till 

Poor Jim and Joe could n't find a minit 

Without the Parson bein' in it. 

They never thought the Parson, he, 

Could any sort o' rival be ; 

They held his ofl&ce far above 

The innercent delights er love ; 

And human nater, did n't guess. 

The Parson did in full possess ; 

And, fore they got studied threw 

That the Parson, he could make love tew, 

And that free grace and Adam's fall 

Wuz jest a good excuse to call. 

The gal they loved was pledged for life 

To be the Parson's helpful wife. 



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R H Y M E S () V A T. T F 1^: T T IM E 



Snow. 

(AJtrr "77;c' Fountain:') 
Fiilling SO t^ontly, 
Beautiful snow, 
What is thy mission 
Lying so low? 

*' Charity's mantle, 

Tenderly spread, 
Hiding, proteeti ng, 

Dear nature's dead." 

**The brown and the sere 

I hide from view, 
And in purest white 

I preaeh to you, 

** Compassion to all 
Who stand in need 

Of the helpful word 
Or kindly deed. 

**And often silence, 
Like falling snow. 

Will help to protect 

From threatened blow." 

What is thy mission, 

Ikwutiful snow. 
Falling so gently, 

L)ing so low ? 

'^This is the lesson 

I give to thee : 
A hint to the soul 

Oi purity." 
104 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Crossing the River. 

{After ''The First Snowfall.'') 

The rain had begun in the evening, 
And all through the lonesome night 

Had it dashed against the window-pane, 
While the winds roared in their might. 

The place is up in the mountains, 

The cottage, a humble one; 
My vigil was with a maiden 

Who with life was almost done. 

She was always a winsome darling, 
And, since her father had gone. 

She had been to the rest of the home ones 
What sunshine is to the dawn. 

It 's the way, up here in the mountains. 
When the rains out-pour so free 

That the streams down in the valleys 
Overflow their boundary; 

And the whirl of the rushing waters 

Carries the bridges away. 
The fording-places one cannot cross; 

There is halting and delay. 

And this maiden, in her fevered brain, 
Seemed to mingle the stream ?jelow 

With the River of Death she soon must pass. 
And the crossing did not know. 



loS 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And when she would hear the wild, wild gusts, 
Crashing loud on the window-pane, 

She would moan and beg us to keep her 
Until there was sunshine again. 

^^I cannot, I cannot cross over, 

It is dark and I cannot see ; 
The bridges are gone, and no boatman 

Would ever cross over with me.'' 

All vainly we tried to assure her 

Of the Father's tender care. 
And that she could trust His loving arm 

To bear her in safety there. 

But always, whenever a fiercer gust 

Came dashing against the pane. 
She would beg and plead that she might not be 

Obliged to cross in the rain. 

At last came those hours the watchers know. 

As the hours when nature's hold 
Is the lightest, and her children oft 

Cast away earth's garments old. 

Just then she seemed to be sleeping, 

And we hoped the sleep might be 
The turning point of the fever, 

With its balm of recovery. 

But the sleep was short, and we listened 

To catch the whisper low ; 
But what did it mean, that look of joy. 

So changed from fear and woe ? 



io6 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

"I can see the boatman coming fast 

To take me over the tide ; 
I fear no longer the dark and rain, 

For closely I '11 keep to his side. 

*'He is almost here; O, my Father, 

Are you really the boatman true?'' 
And she gave him her hand in glad surprise 

And said, ^^I will go with you." 

She spoke no more, and gently her life 
Went out midst the rain and storm. 

And a peace serene stole into our hearts 
Which had been so sad and forlorn. 

For we thought of the happy meeting. 

And how she was glad and secure ; 
That never again would sorrow or pain 

Be the lot of our child to endure. 

And when, in the early morning. 

The sun rose brightly again. 
Our hearts were in tune with earth's gladness 

For sunshine after the rain. 

February, 1892. 



107 






RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Possibilities. 

{After ^^For an Atdograph.^^) 

We cannot make the sunset red, 
Or change the gray sky overhead, 
Or turn the briny ocean's bed. 

We cannot live again our youth, 
Or change by argument the Truth, 
Because we like it so, forsooth. 

We cannot bring to life our dead. 
Take back the word in anger said. 
Recall the hours which once have fled. 

There's countless things we cannot do, 
Many when done we sadly rue ; 
Our righteous deeds are very few. 

But many things by right are ours 
To do, to fill the passing hours ; 
We need not sigh for greater powers. 

For every thought and every deed 
May hold within itself the seed 
Of future good or future need. 

Those hours, they are not fairly spent 
That leave the spirit, bowed and bent, 
In sad unrest and discontent. 

The nearest duty we must do : 

To our own selves be brave and true, 

Nor grieve because our joys are few. 

io8 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Conclusion. 

{After '' Threnodrar) 

And do you ask me, at the end, 

If I can call this victory won ? 
I answer. No, but it may mend 

A little ere it 's done. 
For one can prune and change in redundant ways 
The things they call a ''Poet's lays." 
The products of a fertile brain 

Are many-sided and of different worth. 
But ask if I shall come again to you, 

My answer comes with mirth : 
No! Never 1! Nevermore!!! 

February 22, 1802. 



109 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



The October Frost. 

We 'd been a-looking sharp for frosts, 

For two, three weeks or more. 
He 'd picked of squash and cucumbers 

A fine and goodly store. 
And all the green termaterses. 

And seed-cucumbers tew 
(Which we had left to ripen-off, 

As any one would dew) ; 
The melon-patch, and late fall flowers, 

And the petuny bed, 
We kivered nights' with comforters 

And what we handy hed; 
And, on the back piazzy, 

A score of plants or more 
Hed every night, of late, been set 

Inside the kitchen door. 

Those plants, which are our joy and pride 

In winter's lonesome days. 
We 're always kinder loth, at fust, 

To think their trouble pays ; 
For, when the house is fresh and bright 

From recent cleaning-time, 
The dirt and litter of those plants 

Don't seem so very -fine. 

This was an A-i sort o' day. 
That kind when nature seems 

To be a-trying to come up 
To her ideal dreams. 

no 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

It was so warm, it seemed July- 
Had left a day behind, 

To sandwich in and satisfy 
Some discontented mind. 

A sort of shimmering, yeller haze 

Seemed hiding in the air, 
As though the autumn foliage 

Was kind o' melting there. 
A day when one is glad to be 

Included in the plan 
Which gives a glimpse of this fair airth 

To every son of man. 

And when at last the sun went down, 

All in its glory red. 
More 'n twenty colors blended in, 

A radiance seemed to shed ; 
And all the distant moimtain-tops. 

And forests in the west. 
Were trying to reflect the same 

And show that they were blessed. 
No leastest chill was in the air — 

To think of frost that night 
Was out of place entirely, 

'T wa'nt nateral or right. 

We went to bed, when bedtime came. 

Without a thought of fear. 
And nothing did we kiver up. 

Nor dreamed of danger near ; 
And we sha'n't ever understand 

Jest how the thing was done, 
For nature seldom does explain 

The way a vict'ry 's won; 



R H Y ]\r E S OF A I. T F E T I M E 

Hut some cold wave from Labrador, 
Or up near HatVm's Bav, 

Came swooping down in double-quick, 

Nor loitered by the way, 
And fore the fust gray streaks of dawn 

Were showing in the sky, 
The mischief done was quite complete. 

And vanquished quite was I. 

I -m quite an airly riser. 

And jist at break o' day 
Our Shanghai rooster woke me up 

(He had a deal to say). 
And, somehow, quick I thought of frost, 

And all there was to hinder. 
But just to satisfy myself 

I peeked out through the winder. 
Good land! The grass and fence and all 

Was just as white as snow! 
My mind as quick as lightning knew 

Just what the day would show. 
I could have cried, most any man 

Some swear-word would have said, 
But not a syllable escaped 

From my bewildered head. 
I slowly dressed, and in suspense 

At last I ventured out. 
To view the fearful changes that 

A night had brought about. 
The sight that greeted me fust, 

As I passed through the door, 
Was those tall plants, all frozen stiff. 

On that piiizzy lloor; 



iia 



RHYMES OF A T/f F E TIME 

Geraniums, and Calla, and 

My Oleander, tew 
(I saw at once that there was naught 

That any one could dew). 
I brought 'em in and thawed *em out. 

My sakes! You'll never see 
A sicker-looking lot o' plants 

Under this canopy. 

I showered 'em with cold water, 

With a leetle camphor in. 
(I 'd heard 't was good for frost-bites, 

And thought I 'd try it then.) 
It did no good; those lily leaves, 

Which jest the day before 
Were three feet long, kept wilting 

'Til they laid upon the floor ; 
And those geraniums, and the rest, 

Were black as black could be ; 
I carried 'em down suller. 

Where not a soul could see. 

Well, when the sun had warmed the air, 

I managed to git out. 
To gaze upon the garden in 

Its melancholy rout. 
I found those great cucumberses, 

And green tomatoes, tew. 
And melons, all, were soft and split, 

For they 'd been frozen through. 
The 'sturtium and petuny beds. 

So bright for many a day. 
Now dressed in mourning, side by side, 

No cheering word could say; 



113 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And all the vines and late fall flowers 

Were black and shriveled up ; 
There warn't a drop of comfort 

In that garden for my cup. 

I was undone, I felt obleeged 

To go in-doors again ; 
So many troubles all to once 

Just made my head to spin. 
I sat me down and studied out 

Whatever I had done, 
That I should be so sore bereft. 

My pets gone, every one. 
I gave it up, we never find 

In frosts or floods or fires 
The reasons that will satisfy 

Our losses and desires. 

So then I tried to be content 

And cheery feel once more. 
So many worse things might have called 

To knock upon my door. 
More plants would grow; they always seemed 

Full well to understand 
How much I prized them, and to know 

The touch of loving hand. 
But not a thing, hiurt by that frost. 

That I had tried to keep 
Showed life, except those Calla bulbs, 

Which buried were so deep 
That even with that awful freeze 

They was n't frozen through, j^| 

And, after resting quite a spell, irS!? 

They came to life anew ; 

114 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And like a living sentinel 

That lily speaks to me, 
About neglected duty 

And the frost of '83. 

February 22, 1892. 



"5 



f 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



The Leader. 

In a far-off western valley, 

Where the Grande Ronde river flows, 
And the mountain peaks that bound it 

Wear in summer winter's snows, 

Nestles many a cozy village. 

Far from cities' pomp and shine; 

There, in peace and sweet contentment. 
Did I spend one summer time. 

All one night I heard strange noises. 

Bleating cries and busy hum. 
And the foot-hills, near the village. 

Seemed the place whence these did come. 

Peeping from the window casement. 
Twinkling lights were moving round. 

And oft, through the long night watches. 
Came a bell with tinkling sound. 

And friends told me in the morning 

That upon the foot-hills near. 
Many thousand sheep were waiting 

For the morning to appear. 

They were bound to Eastern markets; 

Come from far, they waited there, 
And the rest and feed of nighttime 

Kept them strong the march to bear. 

ii6 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And I went, with many others, 
To observe them marching through, 

And, behind a friendly picket, 
Saw the flock come into view. 

Mounted on an Indian pony, 

First a cow-boy did appear. 
And his long lasso was fastened 

To a sheep that followed near. 

Just a ragged, tough, old wether. 
Round his neck that tinkling bell ; 

And the sheep that blindly followed 
Seemed to know their leader well . 

What a restless sea in motion, 
Filling street and sidewalks, too! 

Bobbing heads, and din of bleating — 
What a strange, wild scene to view ! 

Never stopping, ne'er a question. 

Knowing not their place of rest. 
No strange sights could terrify them, 

With such confidence possessed. 

And friends told me that, whenever 

Flocks are left to roam at will. 
They always choose some wise one 

To the place of leader fill. 

No one knows their way of choosing; 

Surely, beauty does not guide. 
Nor the father of the sheep-fold 

In his fierce and kindly pride. 

117 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

But by some Heaven-given instinct, 
Well they know which one to choose, 

And they give no weak allegiance. 
But his just and honest dues. 

When strange flocks are brought together. 

For some march like this I saw, 
Then men wait before the starting, 

For the sheep whose will is law. 

And they put a bell upon him. 
That the distant ones may know 

That the leader is advancing 
In the way that they must go. 

When I hear of labor troubles, 
And the crowds of thoughtless men 

Blindly following some rash leader. 
Knowing not the time or end. 

Then I think of that bell-wether 

And those sheep in Oregon ; 
They, whose instinct guides them better 

Than men's brains have often done. 

And I wish that every striker 

Would become a thinking man. 
And not follow every leader 

Who unfolds some social plan. 

January 6, 18S7. 



118 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Miss Maple Leaf. 

Miss Maple Leaf was fair to see, 
Robed in her scarlet autumn dress, 

For she was bright as leaf could be, 
A gem of loveliness. 

Miss Leaf had lived her short life well, 

Since she was born in spring, 
And what to her that day befell 

Was such a dreadful thing. 

She 'd gently waved 'neath scorching sun, 
And smiled through tears in summer showers, 

And now her life was almost done — 
A few remaining hours. 

These latter days, she wondered why. 
When all around her seemed so gay, 

That she should hear that mournful sigh 
From Mother Tree, each day. 

Poor innocent! she did not know 
That every year, this Mother Tree 

Was forced to see her children go 
Where she could never be. 

That even now they had begun 
To say ^'good-bye," and fly away. 

And that she sighed, as one by one. 
She could not make them stay. 



119 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Sir Autumn Wind, a rascal bold, 
Had noticed long Miss Leaf, so fair, 

And sought within his arms to fold 
Her loveliness so rare. 

He begged of her to fly with him 
Where frosty nights could never kill. 

And said her colors ne'er would fade 
If she 'd fulfill his will. 

He 'd bear her gently in his arm, 
If she 'd elope with him to-day — 

He 'd keep his queen from every harm, 
Nor would her trust betray. 

And she believed his word at last. 
And left her cozy, sheltered home, 

And flew with him so gay and fast. 
Without regret or moan. 

At first he kept his word to her, 
And well she liked his pleasant ways. 

The world was bright, she liked the stir 
Of Autumn's harvest days. 

But soon he showed his nature true 
And tossed her round, and round about. 

And up and down, and sideways flew, 
'Til she began to doubt. 

At last he roughly loosed his hold, 
And let her straggle to the ground. 

Poor little leaf, grown sadly old, 
Short-lived the joy she found! 



\ 



R^H YMES OF A LIFETIME 

She landed in a sheltered spot, 

And in a quiet corner rolled, 
And soon she died and was forgot. 

Her summer's life all told. 

And all Sir Wind did ever do 

To show he felt the least regret. 
Was just to cover her from view 

And she — she lies there yet. 

1890. 



I- 



121 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



A Lowell Study. 

(AJter the ^^ Pastoral Poem,^^ in Biglow Papers) 

As I was studying Lowell yester night 

(An occupation you '11 admit was right), 

I noted style and rhyming measures free, 

And followed them all, quite satisfactory. 

Now, I 'm no critic, and don't claim to be, 

But I 'm forever scanning poetry. 

On some of his I start all fair and square. 

To find I 'm short, or else have some to spare ; 

And, well, my scanning stops ; but I must say, 

It sounds so well I like his changeful way. 

He never binds himself to narrow rule. 

His muse was trained in a promiscuous school, 

And often, when she 's harnessed extra well. 

With verse all flowing free for quite a spell. 

He '11 change quite sudden his whole rhyming plan, 

For he was always an original man. 

And then, instanter, his muse will canter. 

Or running free bring melody, 

And make the metre seem even sweeter, 

As 't will smothly glide like a flowing tide ; 

Or quickly dashing, with whip a-lashing. 

His scorn comes clashing 

To stop some wrong, and help along 

The right by song. 

Or gendy beguiling, like baby smiling. 

He brings to our hearts the serenest pleasm*e. 

And his changeful measure a joy imparts; 

So I hint of the ways he varies his lays. 



li 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

While studying I wondered at his skill, 
To change both rhythm and metre at his will, 
And thought I 'd try if I could do the same. 
You will acknowledge I have an upward aim ; 
But this is how it came about that I 
Should venture to a *^ Lowell Study" try. 

{Ajter ^^What Mr, Robinson Thinks,''^ in Biglow Papers.) 

You would have thought me more sensible, say? 

And have said that I ought to have been content, 
To make my rhymes in my own simple way, 
And not on a copyist being bent ; 
But, you see, my muse contree 
Can't ever let go of a new idee. 

I 've thought jist the same, for the scheme, 't is true, 

Involves heaps of night work and brain expense; 
And I sort 'o dreaded the ridicule, tew. 

Which I well knew would greet sich rash attempts. 
But, you see, my muse contree 
Won 't ever let go of a new idee. 

I '11 tell ye now, in jist this private way. 

How much I argied, but fust thing I 'd know 
(She did n't keer a thing bout what I 'd say), 
I 'd ketch her rhyming arter H. Biglow. 

For, you see, my muse contree 

Won 't ever let go of a new idee. 

{Ajter Biglow Poem, No. g.) 

So, that decides the matter, and though critics may 

abound, 
I '11 hold myself to duty, and not keep turning 

round; 



123 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

That tide in my poetic flood, which may to fortin lead, 
Will surely be the stronger for a leetle stronger feed; 
And my success or failure the nations won't affect, 
I '11 only ask, if failure comes, that she will recollect 
It 's not disgraceful being beat, when you have done 

your best; 
Defeat is sometimes jist the thing to bring a needed 

rest. 
1892. 



124 



FAMILY POEMS. 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



My Grandson. 

"Rocking the BabyP' That boy of mine! 
Can I believe in the flight of time ; 
That years so quickly have passed away 
And he rocks my grandson fair to-day ? 

Scanning his features and singing low, 
Watching his baby to dreamland go ; 
What is the measure of love divine 
Filling thy heart full, O, boy of mine? 

Dear wee grandson, thy future looks bright. 
Longed for, and welcomed, and guarded from 

blight; 
Want shall not reach thee, hunger nor cold, 
Blessings and comforts thy life enfold. 

Child, thy inheritance speeds thee well ; 
Ancestry noble, must nobly tell ; 
Thrift and intelligence, honor true. 
These are the gifts they have brought to you. 

"Rocking the Baby!" O, guard him well; 
Innocent now, may the future tell 
Nothing to blemish life's pages fair; 
May only the good he written there. 
April 23, 1893. 



127 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Grandma's Sweetheart. 

You will miss him in the morning, 
When his prattle woke the day, 

For the dreadful silence tells you 
That your child has gone away. 

You will miss him all the daytime, 
With his books and toys and play, 

For he brought the light and sunshine 
Into every happy day. 

You will miss him in the evening, 
When the long day's work is done,. 

And he comes to you for "By-low," 
As you gladly rocked your son. 

You will miss him in the night-time, 
From his bed, so near your own, 

For the absent breathing tells you 
He has found another home. 

You will miss him every moment, 

For he was a part of you ; 
And you filled the happy future 

Full of plans, with him in view. 

You must miss him, but be thankful 
That three bright and happy years 

Have been left you for remembrance, 
Though they cannot stay your tears. 

128 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Memories of a fair-haired darling, 

Starry eyes so full and sweet, 
Hands with ways of soft caressing. 

Gleeful shouts and pattering feet. 

Weak and frail the earthly casket 
For his spirit, strong and bright ; 

And he simply changed his garment 
When he left your earthly sight. 

Well he proved his soul immortal. 

By its strength, when death drew near, 

Going bravely with the angels 
Without weakness, without fear. 

Oft, before you saw your darling, 
In those months of mystery, 
Did you vainly try to picture 
What the hidden gift would be ? 

Would it look like sire or mother ? 

Would it be a girl or boy ? 
Would there ever come fulfillment 

Of the longing parents' joy ? 

Then one day the veil was parted. 
And you found the child you sought ; 

He was better, sweeter, dearer. 
Than you ever wished, or thought. 

Dear ones, trust the Heavenly Father, 

For like sunshine after rain, 
There will come a swift transition 

And you'll see your boy again. 



129 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Watching for you at the window, 
Happy, knowing you would come ; 

As of old, he waits expectant — 
In his new, eternal home. 

And, as once before you found him 
Better than your fondest dream, 

So, when you are reunited, 
Will your vanished treasure seem. 

And a new and heavenly beauty 
Will have touched his earthly grace ; 

You will never be mistaking 
Your own child's delighted face. 

Oh! the rapturous, happy meeting! 

No more parting, no more pain, 
Love undying ; through the ages 

You will have your boy again. 

June 20, 1896. 



130 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Little Comfort. 

I am thinking of '^Little Comfort" to-night, 

The child we so tenderly love, 
She who came with a blessing into your home. 
That home which was desolate, sad, and lone; 
I am thinking of her to-night. 

I am thinking of ^^ Little Comfort" to-night. 

And I see her, so fair and sweet ; 
With her sunny hair and deep brown eyes. 
With her dainty ways, and her looks so wise, 
And I see her so sweet to-night. 

I am thinking of ^^ Little Comfort" to-night. 

And the library strewn with toys. 
The curly black dog, and the brownies big. 
The blocks and the dolls and the flannel pig — 
I can see them so plainly to-night. 

I am thinking of ^^ Little Comfort" to-night. 

And the time when your home was still. 
When playthings and toys were all put away, 
And the change, made now, by baby at play, 
And I am so thankful to-night. 

I am thinking of ^^ Little Comfort" to-night. 

And her ideal baby life ; 
May her future, which now seems fair and bright. 
Just follow the pathway of Truth and Right — 
For this I am praying to-night. 

June 15, 1898. 

131 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Little Black Belle. 

**My Little Black Belle,'' a strange pet name 
For his Queen of Hearts, his year-old bride ; 

But she smiles as he speaks, this gentle dame, 
And nearer she draws to her lover's side. 

For well does she know, by speech and tone, 
That his "Little Black Belle" is dear to him; 

And that for her truly, and her alone. 
He treasures a love that time cannot dim. 

His "Little Black Belle!" Does he mean it so — 
That his Belle is a call to work and to rise ; 

That she marks the pathway where he must go 
And lightens the way with her starry eyes? 

And makes of his home a haven of rest, 
Secure from annoyance, care and strife ; 

And feels himself to be doubly blessed 
In his home, and in Belle, his loving wife ? 

Then ring out all discord and low desire 
From the lives in this ideal home of thine. 

Ring in some sparks of heavenly fire 
Which shall help ennoble and refine. 

And so, as together you march along. 
To the close of life, so steady and true. 

Your lives shall become "one grand, sweet song," 
And the end be peace, with Heaven in view. 

August io, 1891. 

132 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



My Whistling Boy. 

How often a merry whistle 
From around the corner near 

Is a signal sure to tell me 
That the boy I love is near! 

He is often rather noisy, 

And I sometimes, chiding ,say : 
'^ Can't you be quiet, darling; 

Less noisy in your play?'' 



i 



But of that self -same whistle 

He seems quite unaware ; 
It sounds from every quarter — 

Hall, living-room, and stair. 

It seems to keep his spirits 

From getting low or sad. 
And acts just like a safety valve 

When he' s uncommon glad. 

He 'd lots of friends, this whistling boy. 
And always seemed to have the art. 

By kindly ways and ready wit, 
To capture every heart. 

I think of his elder brother, 
Sometimes, when I 'd like to be 

More quiet, and how he always 
Had a whistling tendency. 

133 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And how, when he left the home nest 

In a far-off state to dwell, 
That whistle around the comer 

I missed more than words can tell. 

For that whistle often told me 
That school was out for the day, 

And oftentimes in the darkness 
It would just as plainly say : 

'^ You may go to sleep now, mother. 
For your boy is almost home ; 

I whistle just round the corner 
To tell you I do not roam." 

And when he had gone and left me. 
And my heart was sad and sore, 

I longed so to hear that whistle 
From his dear lips once more. 

So now I '11 be simply thankful 

For this other boy of ours. 
Who can work, or play, or whistle 

Through all the passing hours. 

And I '11 let him keep on whistling 

All the tunes he ever knew. 
And I hope he '11 learn the new ones 

And trill them rightly through. 

And not forget, round the comer. 

To send home a roundelay. 
To tell me he 's safe and happy 

And will be here rio^ht awav. 



134 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

And my boy, may Heaven bless him 
And keep him ever, as now. 

Contented, happy and wiUing 
To duty's call to bow. 

January 20, 1892. 



135 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



The Child's Vision. 

The baby was dead ; not an hour ago 
The light went out of those beautiful eyes, 

And the brother who loved and mourned her so 
Was told of her new home in Paradise ; 

That Heaven hereafter would be her home, 
And angels would give her the best of care. 

He said to himself, ^^ She can't go alone. 
For I should get lost, I've never been there. 

And she's but a babe ; so some one must come 
To carry her safe to the Heavenly Home ; 

And if I can watch imtil it is done, 

I may see those angels who earthward roam." 

And a strange resolve came into his head. 
As he went to the aunt he well did love ; 

And '^Please, won't you hold me, Auntie?" he said; 
And thought to himself, " Now, if from above 

The angels come to take Hessie away. 
Perhaps, if I shut my eyes, I can see ; 

And what will my sorrowing mamma say. 
If a glimpse of it all is given to me?" 

They robed the baby in garments of white. 
And folded the hands, so pulseless and still, 

And closed the dim eyes which once were so bright, 
And bowed their sad hearts to the Father's will. 



136 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

But the boy noticed not the last sad rites; 

With eyes tightly closed, unheeding, he lay, 
And waited and watched for the wondrous sights 

To come, when they took the baby away. 

And so still did he lie, the Auntie said, 

"He has gone to sleep, the dear, tired boy'' ; 

But while she was gently stroking his head 
He whispered, his voice all trembling with joy: 

" Dear Auntie, they 's coming ; please hold me tight. 
They 's coming to take the baby away ; 

I 'm almost afraid, the room seems so bright — 
I never saw it so bright in the day. 

They 's two beautiful angels, robed in white, 
And side by side, close together, they stand ; 

They lift her so gently and clasp her tight 

To their soft, warm breasts, with each loving hand. 

And now they are going, they disappear ; 

They opened no door, but seemed to glide through ; 
I know she '11 be happy and feel no fear ; 

I almost wish I could go with them, too." 

Auntie wiped the sweat-drops from off his brow, 
Doubting not that a glimpse to the child had been 
given 

Of the wonderful way we all must go. 
When we leave this life, for the home called Heaven. 

We think of the two little girls that went 

To this Heavenly Home, so long ago ; 
Could they be the loving messengers sent 

For the pet of the home they had left below ? 



137 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

The vision was real, for no human power 
Had aided the child in his heavenly quest ; 

Surprising, convincing, that evening hour 
To the Aunt, who witnessed his eager test. 

And a trusting faith it brought to the boy. 
To triumph ever, o'er death and the grave ; 

For beyond, he is sure of life and joy 

And a home with angels, who come to save. 

January 13, 1887. 



13S 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



To Flora. 

This girl, Miss Flora, "Lucen of Flowers! " 

It surely is not long ago, 
Since first she came to fill my heart 

And make me love her so. 

Two little girls had come, and gone ; 

So short their stay, my heart was sore ; 
And then this blue-eyed girl was sent, 

That I might grieve no more. 

Can it be sixteen years ago 

Since first she came with us to dwell ? 
It only seems a little while, 

And I remember well. 

Her feet are on the border-land 

'Twixt child and womanhood ; 
She casts regretful looks behind, 

As well, indeed, she should. 

For hers has been a happy life. 

Abounding, full, and free ; 
She does what any girl can do — 

No priggish maiden she. 

She rides and skates and dances well. 
Can row or walk, and never tire ; 

And outdoor life, it suits her best ; 
For fame does not aspire. 



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Earnest, intense, and positive. 
Imperious to enforce her view. 

Yet yielding gracefully the point 
When there 's naught else to do. 

No one can lonesome be with her, 
For she 's a talker, fast and free ; 

No gossip, but in general way 
Is full of sympathy. 

And she has tender, gentle way 

To soothe the sick and banish care ; 

Her presence is a medicine 
To drive away despair. 

Domestic? Rather; when she 's time, 
Can make desert or bake a cake. 

And mend and dust at urgent call 
Without bemoaning fate. 

She studies well, and has some skill 
With music, language and the like, 

She is an all-round kind of girl 
In whom I take delight. 

She has a way of making friends, 
Whose liking deepens all the while ; 

She 's true as steel to those she loves. 
Without deceit or guile. 

She 's sometimes "struck," or thinks she is. 
But never dangerous is the blow ; 

She has a frank and cordial way 
To treat a would-be beau. 



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She has an ideal itian in view, 
Whom she will surely never see ; 

But while she builds her castles high, 
She still is fancy free. 

She looks ahead without a fear. 
To what the future may contain ; 

Is strong and brave to live her life, 
With less to lose than gain. 

If I could always keep this girl 
As innocent as now, and pure 

Of all earth's wickedness and sin. 
Then she would be secure. 

Or if I could be somewhere nigh 
To guard, or help her grief to bear ; 

My own affairs are little worth. 
Could I her troubles share. 

For somehow, why I cannot tell. 

This girPs life seems so close to mine 

That when a cloud envelops her 
My own sim cannot shine. 

But mother-love cannot avail 
To shield from this world's ill ; 

The path of life which she must tread 
No other steps can fill. 

Deal gently with my precious child, 
I ask of Heaven, that she may go 

Unscathed adown the path of life, 
From winds that roughly blow. 



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May friends prove true, and her full faith 
In seeming goodness never err ; 

And she fulfill in womanhood, 
What now I wish for her. 

January i6, 1892. 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



To Paul. 

Into our lives there came one day 
A boy named Paul, who came to stay ; 
A brown-eyed, gentle, happy child, 
With loving ways and temper mild. 

He has a memory, binding fast 
Things seen and heard, as time flies past ; 
And oft surprises with some show 
The ones who sometimes call him slow. 

With quaint remarks and questions strange, 
He shows a brain with freest range ; 
With patience wonderful to see, 
He stands defeat courageously. 

Deliberate, and slow to act. 
Surprising oft with ready tact ; 
Reflecting love, all love him well. 
He holds his friends as with a spell. 

He '11 surely win, this Paul we see, 

For in himself he holds the key 

To conquer obstacles and fate; 

He '11 get there, though he may be late. 

And so we wait to see him gain 

The strength that comes with upward aim; 

And may love guard him to the end, 

And may he never lack a friend. 

April, 1906. 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Flora and Edmund. 

" Out of the nowhere into here'' — 

And so he came, your baby dear, 

And the "valley and shadow" were very near. 

And mother-love so far outweighs 
The wakeful nights and weary days, 
That you really think your baby pays. 

And, little mother, this is true. 
Children so bright are very few ; 
None like him in all the world for you. 

With eyes so keen and quick to see, 
And will, determined what shall be. 
He will grow a man, imdaunted and free. 

Perhaps the world will some time know 
The hero that from your boy will grow. 
And blessings unnumbered from him may flow. 

May he, your son, be spared to you; 

May he be tender, brave, and true. 

And the world be glad he was given to you. 

July 15, 1898. 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Fannie's Sweetheart. 

We love this fair-haired little boy 
Who came to us nine years ago ; 

He is his mother's pride and joy, 

Her "Sweetheart/' and she calls him so. 

He 's very quiet and sedate, 

And thinks and talks just like a man ; 
His mother is his loving mate 

As they together work and plan. 

He reads and vmtes and studies well. 

In history he much delights, 
And you 'd be pleased to hear him tell 

Of what he reads of Indian fights. 

He 's quite ingenious to invent. 

Is architect and engineer ; 
And many hours are often spent 

In working out a new idea. 

He has a loving, tender heart, 
And wants no suffering to see. 

And always gladly does his part 
In gentle, helpful ministry. 

What would this mother do without 
This child, whose life is part of hers. 

Whose future fills her soul with doubt 
And every holy impulse stirs ? 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

She cannot do enough for him ; 

Not all Aladdin's fabled wealth 
Would gain him all she 'd like to win 

In happiness, content, and health. 

She lives in fear that some rude wind 
May bring to him some poison dart ; 

She trembles, lest some scourge should find 
Her precious one, her own sweetheart. 

For, should he die, she doth confess. 
Her heart would burst its prison bars ; 

She did not dream such tenderness 

Could dwell this side the twinkling stars. 

Could some wise fairy give to her 
What she might ask in wishes four, 

I '11 try to think what they should be 
Which, granted, she 'd not ask for more. 

The first and greatest boon of all. 
Her sweetheart's life, safe and secure 

From every ill that could befall. 
From accident, and danger sure. 

And next she 'd like him truly good. 
Without deceit and free from guile; 

A man who, known and understood. 
Would help all other men the while. 

And then she 'd have him wise and great 
And learned, so his brain could be 

His agent to control his fate. 
And save from menial drudgery. 

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RHYMES OF A LIFETI^IE 

And, last of all, that he might get 
Of worldly wealth sufficient store 

To help the poor, wherever met, 
And never want himself for more. 

His life, and then that he might be 
Both good and great, and have withal 

Enough of gold to make him free — 
For what more could this mother call ? 

Oh, life! deal tenderly, we pray. 
With him, our precious, winsome child ; 

Let angels guard him all the way 
And keep him pure and undefiled. 

And may this mother drop her care 
And trust her sweetheart's life to Him 

Who helps His children's griefs to bear. 
And in all good to victory win. 

January 20, 1892. 



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RHY^IES OF A LIFETI:mE 



Fifty Years. 

Written for birthday party in "Chi-irch of the Messiah." 

One-half a centun' of life is mine, 
Just fifty years of mingled good and ill ; 

The good I '11 celebrate to-night in rhyme, 
And fifty pennies give, to pay the bill. 

I find, on looking back these fifty years, 
That blessmgs all the sorrows far outweigh. 

The path ofttimes was rough and cost me tears, 
But time and change soon drove those tears away. 

One lesson I have learned I '11 give to man ; 

The ills of life belong to classes two : 
Those which you cannot help, and those you can — 

Your happiness depends upon your view. 

To ills that you can help, give helping hand, 

And bless the world, and bless your conscience, too; 

For slothful, idle lives there 's no demand; 
The onward trend of life has work for you. 

For ills you cannot help, do not repine; 

Disease, disasters, death, are mortal foes; 
Be philosophic, do not fret or whine — 

A cheerful temper helps us bear our woes. 

Right all the wrongs you can and leave the rest. 
Untroubled, undismayed, for this is true: 

The Ruler of the Universe knows best 
Whv sorrows should be meted out to vou. 



14S 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

Another fifty years, and well I know, 

Earth's joy 's and sorrows all will ended be ; 

I am content, for surely I shall go 

Where there will still be left — Eternity. 

November 19, 1895. 



149 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



To Aunt Sarah. 

He was her only son, and she was old, 
And needed all his tender love and care ; 

How could she let him go from out her life ? 

The loneliness seemed more than she could bear. 

I did not say to her, *^ Dear heart, weep not ; 

God^s will is best, and you must be resigned/' 
I knew that tears would ease her breaking heart. 

That time alone could soothe her troubled mind. 

But now I say to her, " Dear heart, have joy 
That in the mansions blessed, over there, 

The members of your earthly, happy home 
All wait for you, their happiness to share. 

So, think not of his days of failing strength. 
The end, the last sad rites, the grave so chill; 

Think of your son as in his glorious prime. 

Who loved you well while here, and loves you still. 

Your day of life is at the evening time. 
You soon will join the loved ones gone before; 

For you the end is peace, youVe naught to fear, 
Your friends will meet you at the open door. 

April, 1895. 



150 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Spoken by Harley, August 3, 1884. 

My father's fifty-five years old, 

His children all at home ; 
We thank him for his kindly care, 

From which we would not roam. 

And may he live for fifty more. 

As good and kind and true ; 
Then I, his little, ^'bonnie boy," 

Will be a grandpa, too. 



For Hessie. 

I came from Heaven on a western train, 
To be papa's blue-eyed daughter; 

I hope he will always be glad I came. 
If I try to be good, as I oughter. 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



For Albert's Fifty-fifth Birthday. 

spoke ft by Flora. 

To be born a Cummins is fortune good, 
With health and thrift they are savored ; 

And we, our father's children, should 
Be glad that we have been so favored. 

They have much of zeal and little of "caiit," 
And they rush with a nerv^ous temper ; 

They do not affect but are blunt and true. 
And honest toward the neighbor. 

Our father — why, honesty shines in his face, 
And mtegrity clothes him in garments of grace ; 

And from Fannie to Hessie, we '11 try to be 
Worthy descendants of A. O. C. 



15^ 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



Henry's Prayer. 

The clock had struck, 't was bedtime now, 
And Henry knelt his prayers to say 

At grandma's knee, in usual wont. 
For she had taught him how to pray. 

First, ^'Now I lay me," prompted some. 
Then special pleas for God to keep 

Each dear one that he loved, and guard 
All through the nighttime, in their sleep. 

At last he closed and stood upright. 
When grandma, gently chiding, said : 

"You did not pray for Uncle Frank; 
Did you forget?" He shook his head, 

And showed at once the slight was meant ; 

He had a reason for the same. 
"Then, won't you tell me," grandma asked. 

Why you left out your Uncle's name?" 

"My Uncle Frank, he ain't afraid 
Of nothing he can hear or see ; 

He don't need God to care for him. 
And I shan't ask him to," said he. 

Dear child, he thought that only those 
Who are afraid need God's close care ; 

And so his brave, gay Uncle Frank 
Needed no heavenly help to share. 



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RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 

This little child, he did not know, 

That he had voiced the workPs old way; 

That men pray most when danger comes, 
And grief and trouble fill the day. 

That those who never bend the knee, 

Or half believe in Ruling Power 
So long as life moves gaily on. 

And health and safety mark the hour, 

Are quick to change when trouble comes. 

And fly to God with all their grief; 
And in his ever-listening ear 

They ]H)ur their woes and seek relief. 

August, 1891. 



^54 



RHYMES OF A LIFETIME 



The New Faith. 

Into the vague unrest and discontent 

Which come in middle life, from hope deferred, 

The loss of friends, and absence of loved ones, 

The empty home, with children far away ; 

Into this life has come the Peace of God, 

And everything has changed, and sweet content 

And trust and faith illumine all my way. 

'T is sweet to know that in the '^secret place'' 

I have a shelter from the storms of life ; 

That, if I call upon Him, He will hear; 

That sins which I forsake. He will forgive ; 

That all diseases and the ills of life 

He heals, if I will only trust His power. 

And ^'fear no evil, neither be dismayed." 

I cannot doubt, for ^^ signs have followed'' fast. 

While daily miracles uphold my faith ; 

And, come what may, in life or death, to me, 

God rules in love, and I abide in Him. 

April 28, 1906. 



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